On Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at approximately 10:44 p.m., Kill Devil Hills Patrol Units were dispatched to a motor vehicle collision at the intersection of Baum Street and South Croatan Highway. The collision resulted in life-threatening injuries to a 60-year-old female from Massachusetts. (Her name is being withheld until contact is made with kin).
The initial investigation determined a 2016 Toyota Rav 4 operated by Gabriela Aurora Canova, a 58-year-old female of Point Harbor, was traveling north in the outside travel lane of US 158. Canova had no passengers in her vehicle.
A 2020 Hyundai Tucson, operated by a 60-year-old female from Massachusetts, was traveling north in the outside travel lane of US 158. There were no passengers in her vehicle.
The Hyundai was traveling behind the Toyota at a high rate of speed. The Hyundai collided with the rear of the Toyota just north of the Baum Street intersection crosswalk. During the separation of vehicles, the Hyundai ran off the right side of the highway striking a traffic signal pole on the northeast corner of the intersection. The 60-year-old female who was not wearing her seatbelt, became dislodged during the collision and was thrown onto the passenger floorboard of her vehicle.
The Toyota continued north along the curb line until running off the right side of the roadway and striking an NC Dominion Power light pole causing the pole to snap apart. The Kill Devil Hills Fire Department had to extricate Canova from the car.
Canova was transported to the Outer Banks Hospital with minor injuries.
The 60-year-old female was initially transported to the Outer Banks Hospital, then transferred to Sentra Norfolk General Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Alcohol impairment is suspected.
The roadway was closed until 2:16 a.m. (total closure 3.5 hours) to all traffic until NC Dominion Power repaired the light pole.
The Kill Devil Hills Fire Department and Dare County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Kill Devil Hills Police Department with the incident.