Mark West Injured in Dunn Off-Road Vehicle Accident
The crash occurred on Old U.S. 421 near the intersection with U.S. 421
Mark West, 55, of Dunn, was seriously injured in an off-road vehicle accident on Old U.S. 421 near Dunn, Sampson County, North Carolina, on Tuesday, according to the State Highway Patrol.
Paramedics rushed the passenger to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center for treatment of severe injuries after he was ejected from the tumbling vehicle. The northbound 2025 Zhejiang CF Moto side-by-side went into a skid when its rear driver's-side tire detached from the axle, according to investigators. The vehicle then veered off the right side of the road and overturned.
The 26-year-old driver of the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene.
Troopers identified excessive speed as a cause of the crash. Neither man was wearing a seatbelt, and impairment is not suspected.
The crash remains under investigation.
What is West's current condition?
National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. "It's scary how different an ATV is from a side-by-side when it comes to keeping you safe. Traditional ATVs don't have roll cages or seatbelts, so you're much more likely to be thrown off during a crash."
Why did the side-by-side's wheel detach on Old U.S. 421?
When mechanical defects combine with driver negligence, the legal framework becomes complex. National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, Of Counsel at Bond Legal"Victims should seek legal guidance when pursuing a personal injury case, which allows them to handle insurance communications and protect a victim's rights."
North Carolina wrongful death statute
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-18-2, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. North Carolina applies contributory negligence. The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of services and companionship, funeral expenses, and the estate's losses.