Local News

Child Killed in Durham Accident

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Blackwell in custody.
DURHAM — The driver of a car involved in a fatal accident Thursday in Durham wascharged Friday with second-degree murder.

Timothy Earl Blackwell, 36, already faced charges of driving while intoxicated, driving with arevoked license, driving left of center, driving with an open container andpossession of drug paraphernalia, in connection with the Thursday morning crash.

Killed was 4-year-old Megan Dail. Authorities say a pickup truck driven by Blackwell crossedthe center line and hit two cars, including the Dail's minivan, shortly after 11 a.m. Thursday.

Sherry Dail and her husband, Gregory, were driving separate familyvehicles when they both were hit by the pickup. The truck firstside-swiped Mrs. Dail's car, then it slammed into the van carrying herfamily.

Witnesses said Blackwell tried to drive away from thescene, even though his pickup's front end was extensively damaged.

Megan Dail had been riding with her father and two youngerbrothers, Austin, 2, and Joshua, 1, in the van. Megan and her brotherswere belted into proper safety seats.

The boys were reported in stable condition at a local hospital; theparents were treated and released.

Blackwell's driving record is pages long. According to driving records obtained by WRAL-TV5,Blackwell has been charged five times in Durham County withDWI, and he has been charged 21 times with driving with a revoked license. In September 1996, he was convicted of habitual impaireddriving and heroin possession, and sentenced to 60 days in jail and threeyears' probation. His license was permanently revoked in 1989.

The DMV says the pickup truck involved in the accident wasnot registered to Blackwell, but to arelative named Randy Blackwell. Randy Blackwell's license had beensuspended since 1984.

In North Carolina you can own,register and have a vehicle inspectedwithout having a driver's license.

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