'My other half is now gone': Men killed by driver in high-speed chase were family, fathers, friends
Family, loved ones and friends are mourning two passengers killed in a Monday morning crash stemming from a high-speed chase of a car involving North Carolina troopers.
Two passengers in a white Ford pickup truck – Marvin Dave Atkinson, 43, and Thaddeus Eugene Mickens, 56 – died at the scene of the head-on crash on U.S. Highway 301 near Interstate 95 in Kenly.
Tanya Renee Terry, 45, was speeding away from state troopers, at speeds of up to 112 mph, in a black Dodge Charger when she crossed the center line and hit the Ford driven by Otis Ray Allen, 52. Atkinson and Mickens were Allen’s passengers. First responders took Terry and Allen to WakeMed with serious injuries.
Terry is facing charges of two counts of second-degree murder, speeding 112 mph in a 55-mph zone and felony speeding to elude.
Remembering the passengers killed
Barbara Mickens, the cousin of Mickens, said the three people in the truck were longtime family friends. They were heading to work in Wilson to do a concrete pouring job, Barbara Mickens said.
Cindy Taft, Atkinson's girlfriend, explained how Monday was a normal morning prior to the crash.
"I dropped him off at work, we kissed good bye, 'See you later [and] have a good day' [like we] always do,” Taft said.
Taft explained what Atkinson was like in an interview with WRAL News.
“Marvin was beautiful person,” Taft said. “You couldn’t be around Marvin and not laugh. You couldn’t not have a good time.”
Atkinson leaves behind three children, according to Taft.
"My other half is now gone," Taft said of Atkinson.
Taft said she loved Atkinson.
“Life is precious,” Taft said. “Enjoy your loved ones. Don’t take life for granted. [He was] here today, gone tomorrow.”
