The Daily News
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — A fundraiser has been established for a motorcyclist killed this week when a truck turned in front of him.
Preston Tucker McDaniel, 22, of Hubert was driving a motorcycle headed north on U.S. 258 on Sunday afternoon when a truck, driven by Richard Mullins, 66, of Sneads Ferry, turned left across McDaniel’s lane of travel. The road was wet at the time of the crash and the motorcycle hit the truck’s back-right quarter panel, troopers previously told The Daily News.
McDaniel, who died in the crash, was a firefighter with the Bear Creek Volunteer Fire Department, said Joey Williams, chief with the Hubert Volunteer Fire Department.
The 22-year-old was also a member of the Endangered Species Motorcycle Club and the club is planning a ride in McDaniel’s honor this weekend, according to the group’s Facebook page.
A GoFundMe page has been created to raise money for McDaniel’s family; $700 had been donated by deadline. McDaniel’s wife, Crystal, thanked everyone for their donations.
“He would of been 23 on the 17th of this month and our 2 year anniversary (is) two weeks later,” she wrote on the GoFundMe page. “It’s going to be hard with out him.”
Troopers are still investigating the crash and will “probably run down a few statements,” said First Sgt. David Oglesby with the Highway Patrol.
Some of the witness statements at the scene and calls to the troopers following the wreck contradict each other, Oglesby said.
Oglesby said in addition to statements, Sgt. C.C. Wells told him a video may be included with the evidence.
The Highway Patrol will work with the district attorney’s office Wednesday to make a decision on whether charges will be filed. The DA’s office will be looking for whether or not the state can prove a traffic violation occurred, said Assistant District Attorney Mike Maultsby. If Mullins did commit a violation, the state will need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that McDaniel’s death was a direct result of Mullins’ act, he said.
The inconsistent reports from witnesses will also be addressed.
“If you have conflicting statements, you have to try to resolve the inconsistencies,” Maultsby said.
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