Skinners Bypass crash sends injured man to hospital

A Wilmington man narrowly escaped death Friday afternoon when his vehicle was struck by a tractor trailer truck at the Skinners Bypass intersection.

Sean Porter, 27, of Wilmington, was driving a forest-green Ford Escape northbound on N.C. 11 from Pink Hill when he stopped at the Skinners Bypass intersection near Mallard Food Shop.

Porter's traffic light signal turned green and he proceeded to continue to drive north to Kinston when a tractor trailer truck traveling eastbound on U.S. 70 towards New Bern ran the intersection's red light.

The tractor trailer slammed into Porter's vehicle, sending it crashing into the far right shoulder close to the Mallard Food Shop's gas pumps. Talmadge Hollamon, 27, of Pikeville, was driving the tractor trailer truck when it crashed into the Ford Escape.

Several people - including Greg O'Conner of Virginia-saw the violent crash and ran to Porter's aid. O'Conner was traveling from Virginia to Atlantic Beach for a weekend vacation and said he decided to stop at Mallard's to fill his car's tank with gas.

"I was pumping gas and saw the Ford pull out into the intersection when the tractor trailer went through," he said. "I immediately ran over to the car and asked the driver if he was OK."

According to O'Conner, Porter told eyewitnesses he was OK but just a little dazed by what had just happened.

"I can't believe the guy is alive," O'Conner said. "It's the wildest thing I have ever seen."

Both Amanda Brumbaugh and Heather Ross of La Grange were driving together near Skinners Bypass when the accident occurred.

"There was dust and debris everywhere," Ross said. "I thought the tractor trailer hit more than just one car."

After crashing into Porter's vehicle, the tractor trailer truck continued to travel eastbound on U.S. 70 for about 300 yards before coming to a stop. Hollamon remained in his vehicle as emergency crews responded to the scene at 2:23 p.m. Friday.

Porter remained trapped in his vehicle for 16 minutes before he was successfully removed and taken to Lenoir Memorial Hospital in stable condition. State Highway Patrol led the crash investigation.

According to State Highway Patrol Trooper D.W. Emory, Hollamon was cited for running a red light, which caused the accident.

Emory said Porter was treated and released from the hospital Friday night.

Chris Lavender can be reached at (252) 559-1078 or clavender@freedomenc.com.