Man arrested in connection with fatal wrong-way crash that killed mother on US Hwy 70

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Monday, January 6, 2025 9:11PM
Man arrested in connection with fatal crash in December
The North Carolina Highway Patrol arrested a man in connection with a deadly crash on US Hwy 70 in December.

HARNETT COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- A man was arrested on Saturday in connection with a fatal crash on U.S. Highway 70 that happened in December.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) said troopers conducted a felony traffic stop on a 2016 White Mercedes Benz on I-95 North in Dunn. The passenger of the vehicle, Robert Brad Williams, 49, of Hickory, was arrested in connection with a wrong-way crash that killed a Goldsboro mother and injured three others in December.

Authorities said troopers were tracking him from the Robeson County area through Cumberland County to Harnett County.

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Williams is facing several charges including felony hit and run with serious injury/death, involuntary manslaughter, and assault with a deadly weapon serious injury. He is being held at the Johnston County Detention Center without bond.

The Mercedes driver was also detained but was released from custody after an investigation.

The deadly crash happened on Dec. 15 near the Cornwallis Road underpass. Investigators said a white BMW was traveling the wrong way eastbound when it hit a white Jeep Cherokee head-on. One car caught fire after the crash, and the BMW driver fled the scene, according to the NCSHP.

Robert Brad Williams (left) is led by two state troopers to a patrol car after his arrest during a felony traffic stop on I-95 near Dunn on January 4, 2025.
Robert Brad Williams (left) is led by two state troopers to a patrol car after his arrest during a felony traffic stop on I-95 near Dunn on January 4, 2025.
Photo |Thomas Honeycutt

The front passenger in the Jeep, Kortney Atkins, 24, of Goldsboro died on the way to the hospital. A woman who was driving the Jeep, a child younger than 5, and a man were injured in the crash.

Atkin's mother-in-law Dawn sent a statement to ABC11 following Williams' arrest.

"We all feel better that he is behind bars. Now we wait for justice for Kortney," she said.

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