North Carolina Driver Faces Charges in Cyclist Tragedy

A North Carolina man is accused of striking a group of cyclists while driving under the influence. Donald Robert Morris-Jones, aged 76, is facing multiple felony charges following the incident on Saturday, November 7.

The crash occurred in Wake County around 9:30 a.m. A group of about 30 cyclists was traveling on Optimist Farm Road when Morris-Jones allegedly hit them with his vehicle. Following the collision, he reportedly left the scene, later crashing into a ditch approximately half a mile from where the incident occurred.

One cyclist, Patrick Turner from Cary, N.C., died in the crash. Twenty others sustained injuries, with seven classified as serious and 13 as minor. All were transported to local hospitals for medical treatment. The cyclists were part of the Capital Cycling Club.

Morris-Jones has been charged with several offenses, including driving while impaired, reckless driving, and felony counts of hit-and-run, serious injury by vehicle, and death by vehicle. He is currently held on a $1 million bond and is scheduled for a court appearance on Monday, November 9.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is conducting an ongoing investigation. Video footage from the scene captured law enforcement assessing the area, which included a pile of damaged bicycles and the presence of ambulances tending to the victims.