Crash claims Williams’ 5th grader

By DEUCE NIVEN

tribdeuce@tabor-loris.com

     An auto crash in the Sidney Community Monday afternoon claimed the life of a Williams Township School fifth grader.

     Joshua Chay Porter, 11, died following the 4:21 p.m. crash on U.S. 701 at Peacock Road, Trooper Bret Baxley of the North Carolina Highway Patrol said.

     Porter was the front-seat passenger in a car driven by his mother, Chrystal Matthews, 32, who lives in the Williams Township area.

     Matthews was traveling west, towards Tabor City on U.S. 701 when her car was struck on the passenger side by a pick-up truck driven by Camerino Barron, 18, of Tabor City.

     Barron, traveling south on Peacock Road, did not appear to slow for the stop sign, his speed at impact estimated at 55 miles-per-hour, Baxley said.

     Porter was critically hurt, lifesaving measures continuing by emergency workers throughout transport to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Baxley said.

     Both Matthews and Barron were also taken by ambulance to a hospital with minor injuries, Baxley said.

     Barron was charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. A blood sample was taken for analysis, standard in fatal auto crashes, but Baxley said he did not suspect the presence of drugs or alcohol.

     “He just ran the stop sign,” Baxley said.