South Lenoir student causes three-car accident behind school bus

DEEP RUN - A three-car accident behind a Lenoir County School bus sent four people - including three South Lenoir High School students - to the hospital Tuesday morning.

According to State Highway Patrol Trooper J.L. Cash, three vehicles were involved in the accident, which took place at approximately 7:30 a.m. near the H.B. Smith store on N.C. 11.

A 2006 Nissan Sentra driven by Nettie Jackson, 39, of Seven Springs and a 1997 Nissan truck driven by Kenneth Hardy, 18, were struck by a 1993 Nissan pickup truck driven by Joshua Rouse, 17.

Cash said Rouse's vehicle was moving at a speed of approximately 35 to 40 miles per hour when it struck Jackson's vehicle, which crashed it into Hardy's truck. Hardy's truck - which was right behind a school bus - didn't hit the bus.

Jackson was alone in her vehicle but Rouse had his 15-year-old brother, Daniel in his truck while Hardy had 15-year-old Gary Ketchuk and 15-year-old Terry Marshburn in his truck. The Rouses, along with Hardy, Ketchuk and Marshburn, are all South Lenoir High School students and were on their way to school.

There were no serious injuries. The three in Hardy's truck and Jackson were transported to Lenoir Memorial Hospital after complaining of neck soreness, but all were treated and released. Rouse and his brother were uninjured.

Rouse was charged with failure to reduce speed.

Cash estimated that Rouse's vehicle sustained $2,000 of damage, while Jackson's vehicle sustained $1,500 and Hardy's sustained $3,500.

Jon Dawson can be reached at (252) 559-1083 or at jdawson@freedomenc.com. Check out Jon's column at http://jdawson.encblogs.com.