Cars burst into flames after crash in Chatham County
CHATHAM COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- A Cary couple is fighting for their lives after a serious head-on collision sparked an explosion near N.C. Highway 751 and O'Kelly Chapel Road in Chatham County Sunday.
Troopers say a driver crossed the center line.
That driver is also in the hospital recovering while eyewitnesses applaud the Good Samaritans who risked their own lives trying to rescue all of the people involved.
Before the explosive collision, eyewitnesses say at least one vehicle was airborne before it came crashing to the ground.
Fifty-nine year old Mark Ricketts, of Cary, was trapped inside his burning car. Investigators say he collided with a vehicle driven by 67-year-old William Thompson, also of Cary. His wife, 63-year-old Kathleen Thompson, was also seriously injured. The couple was less than five miles away from their home.
Eyewitness video captured passersby like Fort Bragg Army Capt. Steve Voglezon who was off-duty when he risked his own life to save them.
"I knew at that point in time we've got to get tunnel vision. I knew that he was in the car. He couldn't get out of the car and the car was on fire. There really wasn't much else to think about," said Voglezon.
Firefighters, a Chatham County Sheriff's deputy, and nearby residents armed with fire extinguishers fought off the blaze and pulled the victims to safety.
"It wasn't just me," Voglezon added. "It was a whole team of Good Samaritans. Some people helping with the fire. Others helping carry him."
The shocking crash has heightened the anxiety of those who live along O'Kelly Chapel Road.
John Spruell, an eyewitness who shot video of the aftermath, also lives near the crash site. He said recent growth has increased traffic and the number of speeders.
Click here for video from the scene.
"Very little enforcement is being done on O'Kelly Chapel Road. It's not fair," said Spruell, adding that he'll no longer allow his children to drive on the road.
Whether speed played a role in this fiery head-on collision is unclear. The Highway Patrol is relying on eyewitness accounts while the people involved recover in the hospital.
Troopers say Ricketts was cited for going left of center.
There were weather-related wrecks along O'Kelly Road during the winter, according to the Highway Patrol.
The NC Department of Transportation says it is compiling information about the history of O'Kelly Road in response to an ABC11 request. It is unclear if any potential problems would merit changes to the speed limit or the road.
