Collision underscores need for caution

Updated at 6:18 p.m.

Jacksonville police say an increased enforcement effort has resulted in fewer traffic deaths this year even as the city’s streets become more congested.

However, a three-car collision on Lejeune Boulevard on Monday afternoon underscores the need for motorists to be cautious, police said.

Traffic was backed up for several hours in east-bound lanes of N.C. 24 from just before Camp Lejeune’s main gate to the bypass after a gray Dodge SRT-4 heading west collided with a white Ford SUV and a blue Subaru heading east. The Subaru flipped over and was impaled onto a safety pylon on the bike trial running parallel to the road.

Injuries were reported and those injured were transported to Onslow Memorial Hospital. The medical status of those involved in the wreck was not immediately available, but police said they did not think any fatalities were involved.

The crash is still under investigation, said Beth Purcell, spokeswoman for the Jacksonville Police Department.

Police say they have been able to prevent traffic collisions by stepping up enforcement on the city’s congested streets. City and military officials agree the congestion is due to a population increase attributed to the growth of area Marine Corps bases.

“A sharp increase in congestion on highways feeding into the installations is the one consequence of the growth that has strained local resources, resulting in roads that are ‘jam-packed beyond belief,’” Jay Bender Jr., assistant director of the Military Growth Task Force said in an August newsletter.

Working with a limited budget, the JPD’s strategy to increase the number of patrol officers on the street includes restructuring divisions by eliminating a deputy chief and four captain positions. As a result, the department has been able to place eight officers in the patrol division, Purcell said.

The JPD has also increased officers in the Traffic Division, obtained funds from the Governor’s Highway Safety Grant for two additional officers, upgraded radar equipment, and increased training and certification requirements for patrol officers.

Police say their efforts show in the fact that the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities in the city are down from this time last year.

By Nov. 30, 2008, the JPD had investigated 3,268 wrecks with 860 reported injuries and nine fatalities. As of Monday, the JPD has investigated 3,083 wrecks in 2009 with 806 reported injuries and five fatalities.

“This year — no fatalities since May, six months — this is directly attributed to increased enforcement efforts,” said JPD Patrol Division Capt. Billy Houston.

Fatalities in the county are holding to last year’s numbers. There were 24 traffic deaths on Onslow County roads in 2008. As of today, there have been 24 so far this year, according to the N.C. State Highway Patrol.

JPD Sgt. Sean McGill said many collisions could be prevented by motorists being more courteous of other drivers.

“Everyone is on a mission when they are out and about, but people need to realize that others have important things to do too,” he said. “Be patient with other drivers.”

McGill urged patience when dealing with congestion also.

“Planners and developers are working on improving traffic, but with the population growing so fast, it won’t happen overnight,” he said.

Daily News staff member Molly K. DeWitt contributed to this report. Contact Lindell Kay at 910-219-8456. Read his blog at http://onslowcrime.encblogs.com.

Three cars were involved in the crash near Camp Lejeune's Main Gate. Injuries were reported, according to Beth Purcell, spokeswoman with the Jacksonville Police Department. The injured parties have been transported to Onslow Memorial Hospital. No further information is available on the number of injured people in the wreck. More details to follow.

Update at 1:17 p.m.

A car wreck in the eastbound lanes of N.C. 24 is causing traffic delays from Camp Lejeune's main gate to the N.C. 24 bypass and along Western Boulevard. The westbound lanes are clear. Emergency crews are on the scene. More details to follow.

Traffic is backed up along N.C. 24 due to a car wreck. A Daily News crew is enroute to the scene, more details to follow.