GOLDSBORO, N.C. — A 79-year-old man died Tuesday from injuries sustained in a traffic accident that occurred four days earlier on West Grantham Street, marking another tragic pedestrian fatality in the area.
William Hardy was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street on Sept. 13 at approximately 8:14 p.m. Officers from the Goldsboro Police Department’s Patrol Division responded immediately to the scene of the collision on West Grantham Street.
According to the police investigation, Hardy was crossing the roadway from the eastbound lanes when he was struck by a westbound vehicle. The circumstances of exactly how Hardy entered the roadway and the specific location of the crosswalk, if any, have not been disclosed by authorities.
Emergency responders quickly transported Hardy to UNC Health Wayne, where medical staff assessed the severity of his injuries. Due to the critical nature of his condition, Hardy was subsequently airlifted to ECU Health, a regional trauma center better equipped to handle severe injuries. Despite the efforts of medical personnel at both facilities, Hardy succumbed to his injuries on Sept. 17, four days after the initial incident.
The driver of the vehicle involved in the crash has been identified as 71-year-old Hubert Dawson. Police reported that Dawson remained at the scene following the collision and cooperated with the investigation.
Following a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash, police determined that impairment was not a factor in the incident. Investigators examined various aspects of the collision, including road conditions, visibility, vehicle speed, and the actions of both the pedestrian and driver leading up to the impact.
Based on their findings, the Goldsboro Police Department announced that no criminal charges will be filed against Dawson in connection with Hardy’s death. The decision not to pursue charges suggests that investigators found no evidence of negligence, reckless driving, or other criminal behavior on the part of the driver.
