Nurse tried to save man in fatal I-540 motorcycle crash
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- A nurse headed to a yoga class on I-540 last Monday told ABC11 that her instincts kicked in when she saw a car lose control in the westbound lanes near Aviation Parkway and cross the median, go through a cable barrier, and spin into the path of an oncoming motorcycle.
"I saw a car coming across the median and I saw her rear end swerve out and hit the motorcyclist in front of me," said Sheri, who asked that we not use her last name.
"I saw him ejected off of his motorcycle," she continued.
Sheri quickly went from driver to first responder, using her car to block traffic and keep other cars from hitting 44-year-old Philip James Sabino of Raleigh as he lay on the pavement.
His injuries were so severe that she could not do chest compressions. She cleared his airway and offered comfort. She said she wishes there was more she could have done.
"He had a pulse for about four minutes and then he lost it, and there wasn't much else that could be done for him," she explained.
On Monday, the State Highway Patrol charged 28-year-old Kanak Singh of Raleigh - the driver of the car that lost control - with misdemeanor death by a motor vehicle and failure to maintain lane control.
Sheri said she read Sabino's obituary in the newspaper and saw the message of thanks to her and others who tried to help him.
"They were very appreciative of what I did, although I feel like there was not much I could do. But I was there for him, than in itself, I would want for anybody to have, someone there, so they aren't dying alone," she said.
By all accounts, Sabino was beloved by family and friends. He had spent the past 17 years working at Raleigh tech firm SciQuest.
"He is one of the most loyal nicest people you'll ever meet," said friend and co-worker Randi Seran in an ABC11 interview the day after his death.
"He always went above and beyond," said Seran. "There was not anyone in the entire company that wasn't his friend or didn't like him. He was beloved. It was a hard loss for us today. It's been a tough day."
According to his obituary, an education fund has been set up for Sabino's daughter Adele at the State Employees' Credit Union. Any branch in North Carolina can accept a contribution in person, or by mail if sent to: State Employees' Credit Union, 8551 Colonnade Center Dr., Raleigh, NC 27615, for deposit to Adele Sabino Trust Account.
