Man accused in fatal boat accident found dead
SANFORD, N.C. (WTVD) -- Authorities say a man wanted after a woman fell out of a boat trailer and died has been found dead as troopers went to serve arrest warrants.
Troopers had been looking for 29-year-old Anthony Pantano after 20-year-old Allison Bennett was killed.
Around 12:45 p.m. Thursday, officers knocked on his door in the Carolina Lakes subdivision area just north of Pope Field to serve arrest warrants and heard a gunshot.
"A short time later, they made entry into the residence and they did find one male subject located in the back left bedroom of the house that appears to be deceased as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound," said Lt. Jeff Gordon with the NC Highway Patrol.
Pantano was a soldier in the Army training for Special Forces.
According to investigators, Bennett was riding in a ski boat behind a 1999 Dodge pickup truck, driven by Pantano, in the Carolina Lakes subdivision.
Authorities say the truck went off the road, causing the boat trailer to bounce. Bennett fell out of the boat and was run over by the trailer.
Bennett was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, where she later died.
Authorities said Pantano fled the scene in his pickup truck. Troopers believe alcohol was a factor.
On Thursday, several warrants for Pantano's arrest were issued, including felony death by motor vehicle, felony hit and run, driving while impaired, and careless and reckless driving.
