Raleigh – The North Carolina State Highway has released the names of the occupants that died in Saturday’s collision on US74 by-pass near Hamlet, N.C.
Driver:
Brian Andre Kirkpatrick, 43, of 685 Charity Road, Chester, S.C.
Occupants:
Devonte Gibson, 21, of Rock Hill, S.C.
Teto Hamilton, 19, of Pahokee, F.L.
Darice Hicks, 10, Rock Hill, S.C.
According to a preliminary investigation, a 1993 MCI motor coach bus was traveling east on US74 by-pass when the front left tire blew, causing the vehicle to traveling out of control into the median. The vehicle then struck the median guardrail before sideswiping a concrete bridge column. It then continued a short distance before coming to a final rest.
At the time of the collision, the occupants were traveling from Rock Hill, S.C. to Fayetteville, N.C. to participate in a scheduled football game later that evening at the University of God’s Chosen. The players on the bus were from several colleges in the greater Rock Hill, S.C. area.
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Raleigh – The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly collision that occurred at approximately 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 17, 2016, involving a motor coach bus near the city of Hamlet, N.C.
According to a preliminary investigation, a 1993 MCI motor coach bus was traveling east on US74 by-pass when the front left tire blew, causing the vehicle to traveling out of control into the median. The vehicle then struck the median guardrail before sideswiping a concrete bridge column. It then continued a short distance before coming to a final rest.
As result of the collision, investigators confirmed that four (4) occupants in the motor coach died. Forty-two (42) other occupants were transported to Sandhills Regional Medical Center, First Health Richmond Regional Medical Center, First Health Moore Regional Medical Center and Scotland Memorial Hospital with various injuries. Injuries range from critical to minor in nature.
At the time of the collision, the occupants were traveling from Rock Hill, S.C. to Fayetteville, N.C. to participate in a scheduled football game later that evening at the University of God’s Chosen. The majority of the occupants were from Clinton College based in Rock Hill. It is unclear at this time if Clinton College has an actual football team or if their students participate in an off campus athletic football team.
Both eastbound and westbound lanes of US74 by-pass are closed as Troopers continue their investigation. Traffic is being diverted around this crash scene. It is anticipated that the closure will be for several hours.
As additional information becomes available, it will be provided on follow-up press releases.
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