Smithfield man in coma since 2011 crash dies
A man who suffered a serious brain injury in a March 2011 crash when he was a teenager has died.
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Freddie Lempe was just 17 years old when he was the front seat passenger in a Mustang driven by a young girl who lost control on N.C. Highway 39 in Johnston County.
Lempe was thrown from the car, but the driver was able to walk away. Lempe has been in a coma ever since.
Lempe died Saturday around 9:30 p.m. and friends and family said he is no longer in pain.
“Freddie didn’t suffer. His heart slowly stopped beating and he went home peacefully. Fred [his father] was by Freddie’s side the whole time; they prayed, cried and had some good talks. Fred Lempe is very proud of Freddie for how hard he fought for seven plus years.”
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