Driver in head-on crash dies of injuries

VANCEBORO — A Farmville man is dead after his vehicle and a van collided head-on on U.S. 17 around 3 p.m. Tuesday.

State Highway Patrol Sgt. Rich Willis identified the victim as Anthony Jermone Cox Jr., 40. He died at Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville.

Reports state that Hailey Howell, 20, of Vanceboro, was traveling north on U.S. 17 about two miles south of Vanceboro, and crossed the center line of the two-lane highway.

Cox reportedly saw the van and, attempting to avoid a collision, drove into the northbound shoulder. “He was struck head-on by the van,” Willis said.

A 5-year-old child in Howell’s van was listed in critical condition at Pitt County Memorial Hospital.

The child, Maaliyah Ann Jones, “Is doing well at Pitt,” her father, Jason Jones of Aurora, said Wednesday evening.

He said the main artery in her left arm was sliced and she has fluid in her stomach. Doctors have taken an artery out of her leg and put in her arm.

Jones said he was traveling that way, as he usually does, and was detoured by the wreck.

“I had a bad feeling but I didn’t know about it until I got home,” he said.

Investigating troopers said the child was not properly restrained in the van.

The crash is under investigation. Findings from the investigation will be turned over to the District Attorney’s Office, Willis said.

Francine Sawyer can be reached at 252-637-5834 or at fsawyer@freedomenc.com.