Groom killed in car accident

RALEIGH The accident happened around 7:45 a.m. on Westgate Road at Glenwood Avenue toward I-540.

The groom, 28-year-old Christopher Raynor, was to marry his fiancée Karen Taylor at the Sacred Heart Cathedral in downtown Raleigh at 11 a.m., according to the Raleigh couple's website.

Police said Raynor was riding in the backseat of a Honda driven by his groomsman, 27-year-old Chadburn Rickman, when a Toyota crashed into them.

Raynor's best man, 28-year-old Thomas Mooney was in the front passenger seat of the Honda.

Police said the wedding party was driving under the Glenwood Avenue bridge on Westgate Road when the driver of the Toyota, 52-year-old James Early, drove down the access road from Glenwood Avenue, did not stop at the red light and collided into the side of the car.

The impact caused the Honda to spin and hit another Toyota driven by 46-year-old Brinda Shah.

Raynor was ejected from the car and was hit by Shah's car. Police said he was not wearing a seatbelt. Raynor was taken to Wake Med Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Early and his wife Amanda Early were injured and taken to Rex Hospital in Raleigh.

According to the accident report, Rickman, Mooney and Shah were not transported to the hospital, but it was unclear if they suffered any injuries.

Police have charged Early with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.

Raynor's bride told Eyewitness News she has tried to remain positive amid the tragedy.

"So often when people die, you wish I should of, I would have, I could have said this. Why didn't I do that, and I have not one single regret," Taylor said. "I know everyone who was part of the wedding does not have a single regret, because everyone told him how much they loved him and how much that he meant and how much enriched and loved and changed people's lives because he changed mine."

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