Traffic

Traffic alert for drivers traveling in Columbus County

Submitted by Caraline Waldrep, Traffic Reporter

Wednesday, January 9th, 2013, 10:40am

Traffic alert for drivers traveling in Columbus County

WHITEVILLE, NC (WECT) - Hallsboro Rd. in Columbus County will be closed, according to North Carolina DOT.

The closure is necessary so crews can replace the bridge at the Bladen County Line.

Drivers are encouraged to take the assigned detour:

Columbus County traveling north on Hallsboro Rd. , turn right onto Rehobeth Church Rd., which turns into Farmers Union Rd. at the Bladen County line. Then, make a left turn onto Porterville School Rd. which takes you back to Hallsboro Rd.

Construction will take place for the next four months. The road will be back open on Wednesday, May, 15 .

View Comments | Post a Comment

Traffic Alert for Drivers in Columbus County

Submitted by Caraline Waldrep, Traffic Reporter

Tuesday, January 8th, 2013, 1:06pm

Traffic Alert for Drivers in Columbus County

WHITEVILLE, NC (WECT) - Some roads in Columbus County will be closed for the next week.

Red Bug Rd. located near Honey Hill Rd. will be closed in both directions. Crews are replacing a crossline pipe along the road. Crews will complete this project by Friday, Jan. 11 at 5:30 p.m.

Honey Hill Rd. will be closed on Monday, Jan.14 at 7:30 a.m. Crews are also replacing a crossline pipe on this road near Pone Hill Rd. The road will be back open on Friday, Jan. 18 at 5:30 p.m.

View Comments | Post a Comment

FATAL ACCIDENT: Victim identified in tractor trailer wreck near Lake Waccamaw

Submitted by Crystal Clark, News Producer

Tuesday, December 18th, 2012, 4:44pm

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) - One person was killed in a major accident early Tuesday morning involving three tractor trailers on Hwy 74/76.

According to Columbus County Highway Troopers, Kevin Jermaine Williams of Charlotte was killed.

Troopers added that Larry Wayne Thompson of Fayetteville was also in the crash.

According to North Carolina Highway Patrol officials, the accident happened around 1 a.m., on NC 214 at mile marker 255, outside of Lake Waccamaw. One tractor trailer ran into two tractor trailers that were already pulled over on the side of the road.

Lake Waccamaw Fire and Rescue were called out to the scene, along with a helicopter and heavy equipment.

Williams was reportedly trapped inside of a vehicle.

View Comments | Post a Comment

New officers crack down on seat belt violations

Submitted by Gavin Johnson, Reporter

Thursday, December 13th, 2012, 4:34pm

New officers crack down on seat belt violations

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – There have been nearly 50 fatal accidents where a seat belt was not used in Columbus County between 2007 and 2011.

This year the county has a seat belt usage rate of 75.5%, which is the lowest of 15 other rural counties surveyed.

Two officers joined in October the traffic team for the Columbus County Sheriff's Office to focus on seat belt violations and speeding.

They join two other officers who were hired in October 2010 to focus on DWI and speeding. Officials say the number of traffic accidents has gone down since the traffic team was formed.

Nearly 100 seat belt violations have been written since the beginning of October. According to Sgt. Blake Potter, a lot of people fail to wear their seat belts while driving around the courthouse.

Overall, the traffic team has concluded a total of 362 charges since October 1.

View Comments | Post a Comment

TRAFFIC ALERT: Hallsboro Rd closed in both directions

Submitted by Caraline Waldrep, Traffic Reporter

Tuesday, December 11th, 2012, 10:19am

TRAFFIC ALERT: Hallsboro Rd closed in both directions

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) -If you are traveling in Columbus County you may experience some delays.

Hallsboro Rd. near Ward Town Rd. will be closed in both directions. Crews are replacing a crossline pipe along the road. Construction will take place on Monday, Dec. 10 through Friday, Dec. 14 from 7 a.m. through 5:30 p.m.

Plan an alternative route if you are traveling in the area.

View Comments | Post a Comment

'Click it or Ticket' campaign yields 654 traffic & criminal violations

Submitted by Debra Worley, Digital Content Director

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012, 12:18pm

'Click it or Ticket' campaign yields 654 traffic & criminal violations

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Thousands of drivers and passengers were cited in North Carolina around the Thanksgiving holiday for not wearing a seatbelt.

According to State Transportation Secretary Gene Conti, more than 3,700 people were cited during the Click it or Ticket campaign, which was held Nov. 19-25.

“Multiple crashes have been reported in the news recently where motorists who were not wearing their seatbelts have been killed. It is imperative that everyone in the car buckles up,” said Conti. “I thank all of the law enforcement agencies for their hard work reinforcing this message.”

State and local law enforcement officers issued the citations during more than 4,600 checkpoints and stepped-up patrols statewide.

There were two dozen checkpoints in Columbus County and a total of 654 traffic and criminal violations. More than 230 people were given citations for seatbelt violations and 14 were given DWIs.

View Comments | Post a Comment

‘Tis the season for animal crashes

Submitted by WECT Web Staff

Tuesday, November 27th, 2012, 3:04pm

Harrelson said his business has increased nearly 35 percent in November because more cars are getting hit by deer.

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WECT) – ‘Tis the season for animal crashes. According to the Department of Transportation, more animal crashes occur from October to December than any other quarter.

Officials say the increase in crashes can be attributed to it being deer mating season.

According to data provided by State Farm Insurance, North Carolina ranked 16 in 2010-2011 for the most deer accidents in the country.

Kevin Harrelson, owner of Southeastern Paint and Body in Chadbourn, said his business typically averages about 40 vehicles a month. Harrelson said his business has increased nearly 35 percent in November because more cars are getting hit by deer.

Harrelson said repairs to a vehicle hit by a deer normally cost about $1,800-$2,500 and could take up to ten days. According to Harrelson, some car parts are taking longer to come in because of Hurricane Sandy.

View Comments | Post a Comment