Impaired Hit-And-Run Driver In North Carolina Charged With Second Degree Murder | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

What Happened:

A man from Union County, North Carolina has been charged in the recent hit-and-run death of a bicyclist. Officials with the North Carolina Highway Patrol say that accident happened last week on Unionville-Indian Trail road near Danbrooke Drive.

The bicyclist, Joshua Stone, 31, was riding his bike when he was hit and killed by a vehicle driven by 29-year-old Jason Purell Orbison. Orbison fled the scene of the accident and returned to his home in Indian Trail, NC.

Later that evening, police zeroed in on Orbison and arrested him only a short time later at his house. Orbison has since been charged with second-degree murder for the accident. The charges are more severe than other hit-and-run cases because the police gathered evidence showing that Orbison was under the influence of drugs at the time of the hit-and-run accident. Police have so far not said what substance was found in Orbison’s blood stream.

The North Carolina Wrongful Death Attorney’s Perspective:

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 618 bicyclists died in crashes with passenger vehicles in 2010. Cyclists seldom stand a chance when up against much larger, heavier and faster passenger vehicles. Those that are lucky enough to survive such accidents still suffer through years of painful surgeries and rehabilitation. The NHTSA has said that each year an additional 52,000 bicyclists are injured in collisions with cars.

Our hearts go out to Stone’s family. Losing a loved is never easy, but it can be even more difficult when the loss comes so unexpectedly. It’s tragic that Stone’s parents are now without their son all because of the careless actions of an intoxicated driver. If you or someone you love has died in a North Carolina car, truck, motorcycle or bicycle accident, turn to an experienced North Carolina wrongful death attorney who to help guide you through the difficult process of filing a civil claim for compensation.

Potentially Helpful Information:

If someone you love has been seriously injured or killed in a bicycle accident, it’s critical that you contact an attorney with experience successfully handling such cases. My firm represented one couple who were seriously injured in a hit-and-run accident. My firm was able to secure a $225,000 settlement for our clients, giving them an opportunity to begin to piece their lives back together.

If you’ve recently lost a loved one in an accident and need help understanding the process of filing a civil claim for damages, consider reading through my firm’s guide on the wrongful death claim process in North Carolina. It contains some important information about how such claims are handled as well as answers to basic questions about the wrongful death lawsuit process.

Have Questions? Check Out Our Firm’s FAQs.

Those who have lost a loved one in a senseless accident will likely have many questions about what to do next to move forward and ensure that the responsible party is held accountable for the damage they caused. If you are wondering about how damages are calculated in NC wrongful death cases or curious about what “wrongful death” means, check out my firm’s responses to a series of frequently asked questions. The page contains answers to many common questions about wrongful death claims in North Carolina

Here’s a map of Indian Trail, where the fatal accident occurred:


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