No fault found in death of Bramblett

An investigation by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has uncovered no criminal wrongdoing in the death of Robert Allen Bramblett, said a letter by 23rd Prosecutorial District District Attorney Tom Horner. Family members said Tuesday that they are unhappy with the investigation’s results.

Bramblett, 20, died on Nov. 18, 2004 in a single-vehicle wreck on N.C. 18 north near the Crab Creek bridge. His body was not found for three days, when family and friends located him not far from the roadside. Bramblett had a Virginia driver’s license listing an address in Elk Creek, but was an employee at Burger King in Sparta.

The accident was investigated by Trooper R.L. Lane, who failed to find Bramblett’s body, which had been ejected from the passenger-side window of his vehicle and came to rest down an embankment about 700 feet from where the vehicle finally stopped near the Crab Creek bridge.

According to the letter from Horner, dated Aug. 30, “It is my opinion that Mr. Bramblett’s death was most likely instantaneous due to injuries he sustained in his automobile wreck.”

Furthermore, the document noted, “In addition, it is my opinion that the actions of North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper Bob Lane and members of the Alleghany County Sheriff’s Department in no way contributed to Mr. Bramblett’s death.”

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