Update 10:50 a.m.: James Thomason was charged with the following:
- Two counts Felony Death by Motor Vehicle
- DWI
- Open Container
- Improper Passing
- Careless and Reckless
- Left of Center
- Exceeding Posted Speed
- Failure to Reduce Speed
SURF CITY — The Surf City Police Department is asking for witnesses to a fatal car accident to reach out with any information.
The crash happened on Sunday night, Jan. 20. According to a police press release, “At approximately 10:32 p.m. the Surf City Police Department, Surf City Fire Department, and North Carolina Highway Patrol responded to the 1600 block of North New River Dr. for a traffic crash with injuries.”
According to the Surf City Police Department, “witnesses relayed to officers that a southbound vehicle being driven at a high rate of speed collided with a second vehicle also traveling southbound. The second vehicle then left the roadway, overturned and caught fire.”
Police have identified the driver of the first vehicle as 23-year-old James Coleman Thomason of Topsail Beach. He was transported to New Hanover Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.
The driver and passenger of the second vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene. The identities of the deceased are being withheld pending the notification of next of kin. The Surf City Police Department and North Carolina Highway Patrol are continuing the investigation, charges are pending.
Anyone that witnessed the crash or that may have further information is asked to call the Surf City Police Department at 910-328-7711.
