North Carolina driver charged after fatal crash with cycling club

A 76-year-old driver, Donald Robert Morris-Jones, faces 19 felony charges after allegedly striking a group of cyclists in Wake County, North Carolina. The incident occurred on Saturday morning on Optimist Farm Road near Apex when Morris-Jones, driving a black Infiniti, reportedly crossed the center line and plowed into members of the Capital Cycling Club.

One cyclist, 63-year-old Patrick Allen Turner of Cary, was killed at the scene. At least 22 people were injured, with seven individuals transported to regional trauma centers for serious injuries. Authorities suspect impairment was a factor in the collision. Following the initial impact, the driver allegedly continued driving for approximately half a mile before crashing into a ditch.

Morris-Jones is currently held on a $1 million bond. His charges include felony death by vehicle, driving while impaired, multiple counts of felony hit-and-run involving serious injury or death, and felony serious injury by vehicle. Local officials and members of the cycling community have expressed shock and anger over the incident.