NEWTON – On Tuesday, November 8, at approximately 5:40 a.m., the NC State Highway Patrol responded to a fatal collision in Catawba County on Robinson Road near Shuford Road. A 2013 Ford Focus was traveling south on Robinson Road, lost control, crossed the center line, and collided head-on with a northbound 1988 Toyota Corolla.
The driver of the Ford, Anthoney Wayne Stroupe, 19, of Vale, was transported by Catawba County EMS to Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Toyota, Jerry Wayne Lail, 58, of Newton, succumbed to his injuries at the scene. He was not restrained by a seatbelt.
A secondary collision occurred when another northbound vehicle struck the Toyota after the initial collision. The roadway was closed for over three hours during the on-scene investigation.
The preliminary investigation indicates excessive speed on the part of the driver of the Ford as a contributing circumstance in the initial collision. Investigating troopers will be in consultation with the Catawba County District Attorney’s Office concerning any charges.