FATAL ACCIDENT - Joyce Glasco Higgins died after her pickup collided with a truck at the N.C. 18 bridge over Little River.

Ennice woman dies in N.C. 18 accident

A 70-year-old Ennice woman died from injuries suffered during a head-on collision on the Little River bridge on N.C. 18 North last Thursday, according to a report by Trooper R.L. Lane with the N.C. Highway Patrol. Joyce Glasco Higgins died at the scene of the accident. A complete obituary appears on page 9.

According to the report, James Walter Helton, 71, of State Road, was opesrating a 1997 Ford three-axle dump truck owned by Carl Rose and Sons Inc. at the time of the accident.

Higgins was operating a 1996 Ford pickup when Helton’s vehicle crossed the center line and struck it nearly head-on. According to the report, Helton was traveling northeast and Higgins was traveling southwest when the two vehicles met near the north end of the N.C. 18 bridge over Little River.

The report said Helton traveled into a curve and ran off right side of the road and lost control. The truck then traveled back onto the road, went across the center line and struck Higgins’ vehicle nearly head-on. Helton’s truck then overturned on the bridge, facing north. After the impact, Higgins’ vehicle traveled off the right side of the road and came to rest next to the guardrail.

Helton was transported to Alleghany Memorial Hospital. He was treated and released, said a hospital spokesman.

Helton was charged Monday with misdemeanor death by vehicle.

Estimated damage to the truck was $48,000, while damage to the pickup was estimated at $8,500. Damage to the guardrail, property of the N.C. Department of Transportation, was listed at $800.

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