3 arrested after I-40 crash, 1 nurse at Duke, police say
WAKE COUNTY, North Carolina (WTVD) -- Three people have been arrested for allegedly driving under the influence Sunday morning.
Around 2 a.m., multiple authorities, including the Wake County Sheriff's Department, the Durham Police Department, and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to a multi-vehicle crash on the I-40 at mile marker 284.
Authorities said Juan Diega Martinez, 21, was traveling west on I-40 when he was struck by Frankie Lee Byrd, 46, from behind.
As a result of the crash, both cars became inoperable.
While the men were waiting for troopers to arrive, a good Samaritan stopped to provide medical assistance to Martinez who was pinned inside his car.
However, while helping Martinez, the good Samaritan's vehicle was stolen by Byrd's passenger, Lauren Victoria Starks, 24, who troopers said is a nurse at Duke Hospital.
Starks was quickly caught and booked into the Durham County Detention Facility. She was charged with driving while impaired, larceny of motor vehicle, and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.
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Duke University Hospital is not commenting on the Starks' job status; however, Jacob McCoy, an eyewitness of the crash who had his car stolen, is speaking out.
"He (Martinez) was severely injured," he said. "After about 15 minutes later I got off the phone and noticed my car was gone."
McCoy said Starks' behavior is very alarming, especially because of her profession.
"It's very alarming," McCory said. "It's very disturbing knowing that she was a nurse. I thought she would have gotten out and helped with the situation, but it just goes to show drinking and driving can make a bad situation worse."
Martinez was taken by Cary EMS to Duke Hospital ER where he was treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
His family said he is in stable condition and will undergo surgery.
Martinez was cited for driving while impaired and driving while his license was revoked for impaired driving offenses.
Troopers also seized a bag of cocaine from his clothing at Duke Hospital and additional charges are pending.
Byrd refused medical treatment and was placed under arrest on the scene for driving while impaired.
He was transported to the Wake County Detention Center where he was charged with felony serious injury, driving while his license was revoked, failure to reduce speed, and reckless driving.
According to online records, Byrd has also bonded out of jail.
