By Nathan Hardin
nhardin@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — A 12-year-old boy was killed in a two-vehicle collision Wednesday afternoon on Airport Road.
Authorities said the crash happened when a Honda Accord traveling east on Airport Road tried to turn left into a parking lot near the Oak Haven Mobile Home Park and was hit by an oncoming Jeep Cherokee.
The child, identified as John Marshall Murdock, was riding in the back seat on the side hit by the Jeep, Salisbury police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 2-year-old in the back seat of the Honda had a bump on the forehead and was taken to Rowan Regional Medical Center as a precaution, according to a press release.
No one in the Jeep was taken to the hospital. Chandra Dawn Proctor, 28, was driving. Her passengers were a 5-year-old and a 2-year-old.
Authorities said the driver of the Honda was Brandy Nicole Naylor, 24, of Clancy Street. Investigators said she was John Murdock’s aunt.
Salisbury Police Chief Rory Collins said officers were still investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash.
They hadn’t yet determined whether the 12-year-old boy was wearing a seat belt, though Naylor was wearing one and the 2-year-old was in a child restraint.
The crash happened about 3 p.m. in the 1000 block of Airport Road.
“I don’t think — on the surface — that speed was a factor, but that’s something we’re looking at,” Collins said.
No charges were immediately filed. Collins said a decision on charges will be made when the Rowan County District Attorney’s office reviews the final investigation report.
Dozens of bystanders and relatives of those involved in the crash gathered around the yellow crime tape near the intersection of Airport and Cedar Springs roads Wednesday afternoon.
Some family members wept openly, others stared in disbelief.
Crews waited about 45 minutes for emergency personnel to put sheets up to block the public’s view as they moved the child’s body from the Honda to a Rowan Rescue Squad ambulance.
Investigators on the scene spoke to witnesses and began measurements at the crash site.
Aside from stifled sobs and constant hum of a news helicopter, the scene was nearly silent.
When officials finished measuring the site and taking photos, officers allowed a red flatbed tow truck to approach and begin loading the crashed vehicles.
Contact reporter Nathan Hardin at 704-797-4246.