By Shavonne Potts

Salisbury Post

A Jamestown man charged with driving while impaired and causing the death of a China Grove girl was released Saturday from jail.

Ross Edward Neese, 25, of 2106 Shimer Drive, posted his $20,000 bond, which comes a day after 8-year-old Patricia Eleanor Burgdoff, of High Top Lane, died on U.S. 29.

Burgdoff’s name was misspelled in Saturday’s Post and her address was incorrect.

Authorities say Neese was speeding and driving erratically when he struck the rear of the car Burgdoff was riding in. The young girl was pinned in the car. She died upon impact.

The driver of that car, Michael Scott Thompson, has been transferred to Duke University Hospital in Durham. His condition was not available. Immediately following the Friday night collision, Thompson was taken to NorthEast Medical Center in Concord with a collapsed lung and head and neck injuries.

His wife, Shayne, was released from the hospital Saturday. Her son, Justin Morgan, 7, is in serious condition at NorthEast Medical Center.

Patricia’s father, Donald, said his daughter was loved by everybody.

“She was born, raised and died in China Grove,” Burgdoff said by phone.

He said his family did not wish to comment further at this time. Linn-Honeycutt will be taking care of funeral arrangements.

Another car was hit the night of the wreck. David M. Clark, of China Grove, was not injured and was able to drive his car home.

Neese was charged with three counts of felony serious injury by vehicle, a new law as of Dec. 1, driving while impaired and felony death by vehicle.

The Thompsons were leaving Gary’s Barbecue and were hit around 6:20 p.m.

China Grove Police investigated the case. Chief Hodge Coffield said the posted speed limit on U.S. 29 is 45 mph.

Contact Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253 or spotts@salisburypost.com.