A 70-year-old woman died Wednesday after her car left the roadway and hit a small tree along Village Walk Drive in Holly Springs, according to police. Investigators say they believe she suffered a medical emergency just before the single-vehicle crash. The section of Village Walk Drive near Main Street was shut down for a short time while first responders worked the scene, then later reopened.
Holly Springs police told CBS17 that no other vehicles were involved and that the woman died from her injuries. The department said she will not be publicly identified until her next of kin are notified. According to the police account, investigators believe a medical event caused the driver to lose control before the collision.
How Often Do Medical Emergencies Cause Crashes?
Serious medical events behind the wheel are relatively uncommon, but when they do happen they are more likely to result in severe, single-vehicle crashes. Older drivers face a higher risk of serious outcomes in these situations. A study published in PubMed Central and other research report that while medically related incidents make up only a small fraction of all crashes, they disproportionately affect older motorists and often involve significant damage or fatalities.
N.C. Rules And Reviews For Medically At-Risk Drivers
North Carolina’s Division of Motor Vehicles runs a Medical Review Program that evaluates drivers when health conditions could affect safe driving and can add restrictions based on medical documentation. According to the state’s Medical Review Program guidelines, the N.C. DMV accepts referrals from physicians, law enforcement and crash reports, and can require testing, driving limits or other measures in the interest of public safety.
The Holly Springs Police Department is continuing to investigate the crash. The roadway has been cleared and reopened after crews finished their work at the scene, and officials say they will provide additional details once family notifications are complete, according to CBS17. Anyone who believes they have information that could help the investigation is asked to contact the department through its non-emergency line or the town’s usual channels.
