Motorcyclist injured in collision

Sherry Brunson
Staff Writer

May 12, 2008 11:29 am

— A Chevy pickup truck and a Harley-Davidson motorcycle collided Saturday at the intersection of N.C. 33 and Fishing Creek Road.
According to N.C. Highway Patrol reports, Wilson Franklin Hale, 69, of Tarboro, driving a 2000 Chevrolet pickup truck on Fishing Creek Road about 4:45 p.m. when he attempted to turn left onto N.C. 33.
Hale didn't see Ben Spain, 51, of Tarboro, who was traveling north on N.C. 33 on a 1993 Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Spain, who was traveling at approximately 55 mph, collided with the truck, causing significant damage to the driver's side door. The motorcycle was destroyed.
Spain was taken to Heritage Hospital in Tarboro, and then flown by EastCare helicopter to Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville.
On Spain's motorcycle helmet was written, "Never ride faster than your angels can fly."
As a crowd gathered at the accident site, a group of women, dressed in church clothes, held hands, with eyes closed as they earnestly petitioned God for Spain's life.
Two women comforted a distraught Hale, standing quietly by the side of the road.
Hale was charged with failure to yield.
"It was just a traffic accident," said investigating officer, N.C. State Highway Patrol Trooper C. Atkinson Jr. "Mr. Hale just didn't see the motorcycle coming. There were no drugs or alcohol involved."
Spain was listed in fair condition this morning, a hospital spokeswoman said.
Edgecombe Rescue Squad Supervisor Harvey Johnson said he was pleased with his team's response time.
"From the time we received the call, arrived at the scene, removed Mr. Spain out from under the motorcycle, had him fully mobilized with two IVs and on a cardiac EKG monitor, and on our way to the hospital, was 17 minutes," he said.