Deadly car accident in Taylorsville kills Hickory woman, NCSHP says

State troopers using AI The North Carolina Highway Patrol has announced it will be using artificial intelligence to identify distracted commercial truck drivers. Since 2022, there have been more than 150 deadly crashes in the state involving big rigs, according to troopers.

By WSOCTV.com News Staff

TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. — A woman from Hickory died in a car accident in Taylorsville on Friday afternoon, North Carolina State Highway Patrol reports.

Barbara Ruppard Causey, age 76, was driving west along U.S. 64 in a 2008 Honda Civic when she crossed the centerline and collided head-on with another vehicle, according to NCSHP.

[ READ MORE: 4-year-old in critical condition after being hit by car in Belmont, police say ]

Causey’s car overturned into a utility pole, and she died due to her injuries at the scene.

Robert Lewis Phelps of Granite Falls drove the eastbound car, a 2018 GMC Sierra. He had a child in the car who was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

NCSHP says impairment does not appear to be a contributing factor in the case. No charges will be filed again Phelps.

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