An Apex driver faces more than a dozen felony charges and a $1 million bond following a Wake County bicycle crash that killed at least one cyclist and injured 20 others. Around 9:40 a.m. Saturday, a car driven by a drunk driver struck several people riding bicycles on Optimist Farm Road near Talicud Trail in Wake County. Patrick Turner, 63, of Cary, died at the scene and seven other people were taken to the hospital. The driver of the vehicle, Donald Robert Morris-Jones, 76, of Apex, is charged with driving while intoxicated, felony death by vehicle, seven counts of felony serious injury by vehicle, eight counts of felony hit and run, reckless driving and driving left of center. The State Highway Patrol said Morris-Jones drove half a mile before crashing his car and stumbling away. He is also accused of trying to flee the scene. Morris-Jones was jailed in the Wake County Detention Center under a $1 million secured bond. According to court documents, he has no criminal record, but is considered an overwhelming danger to society. © WRAL The arrest warrants for Morris-Jones describe the cyclists’ injuries, including a leg injury, rib injuries and a cut on the arm. A group of 30 cyclists from the Capital Cyclist Club were traveling east when a black Infiniti crossed the center line and struck several cyclists before crossing back into its own lane, then landing in a ditch about a half-mile away from the initial crash scene, according to the Holly Springs Fire Department. One of the cyclists told WRAL that they frequently ride the route together. Some people were treated at the scene and others were transported to the hospital with traumatic injuries. Of the 20 people injured, seven have serious injuries and 13 have minor injuries, according to Holly Springs Fire Chief LeRoy Smith. An emergency medical bus was brought in from Wake County to transport the injured to local hospitals. Wake Emergency bus (© WRAL) Broadcastify radio traffic paints a grim picture of the scene when first responders arrived: “A vehicle just hit 15 to 20 pedestrians. The vehicle was a small black Infiniti…the driver is currently outside, bumping around at this time. He will be an older white male with white hair, a goatee, and a blue shirt. The vehicle is currently in a ditch. There are several injuries and possibly a code 7. SHP has been notified and EMS is on the way as well.” Bob Schroder, who lives near the crash site, said he is a former cyclist himself. “It’s sad that this happens,” he said. “I feel solidarity with all the people who were injured and I hope that the remaining survivors continue to do so and get through this.” The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is responding to the crash. Optimist Farm Road has since reopened. Bicycles lined up after the accident (© WRAL)
