Forty years of marriage was supposed to mean a celebratory morning for Kathy and Bob Phillips. Instead, the longtime Raleigh couple are marking their milestone in a WakeMed intensive care unit after a suspected stolen pickup slammed into their car during Thursday morning’s commute, according to their family.
The crash left both with serious injuries, including broken ribs, brain bleeds and damaged arteries. Relatives said that despite the trauma, the pair were stable and in good spirits by Friday morning, trading anniversary plans for hospital monitors and IV lines.
How a morning commute spiraled into chaos
State troopers say the chain of events started during the Thursday commute when the driver of a stolen SUV ran a red light at Ten-Ten Road and Old Stage Road and hit another car, according to WRAL.
A Good Samaritan stopped to help at that first crash. Troopers say the SUV driver then jumped into that person’s pickup and sped off, leaving the original wreck behind. About 10 miles away, near downtown Raleigh on Morgan Street, the driver allegedly crashed again, striking multiple vehicles in the process.
Hit on the way to a workout
Family members say Kathy and Bob were in the middle of their normal routine, driving to a YMCA cycling class on Morgan Street, when their car was struck during that second crash.
Both were rushed to WakeMed’s intensive care unit with the injuries described by relatives. Officials said the suspect was also taken to a hospital with crash-related injuries.
Suspect identified and charges lined up
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol identified the suspected driver as Robert Jerry Bradley of Cary. Troopers said arrest warrants were obtained for driving while impaired, felony hit-and-run, reckless driving, failure to wear a seat belt and failure to stop for a red light, as reported by WRAL.
Bradley remained hospitalized and was unable to appear in court Friday. The Raleigh Police Department and the Wake County Sheriff’s Office are continuing to sort out the exact sequence of crashes.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes at both wrecks. Nathan Nolan, who lives near the first crash site, told WRAL he heard someone yell, “he’s getting in my truck,” then saw the pickup tear away from the intersection. The truck’s owner told reporters his vehicle was totaled after the second collision, even though he had taken his keys and, he said, left the truck running.
What the charges could mean
If prosecutors follow through with the charges listed by troopers, Bradley could be facing significant penalties under state law, including potential prison time and loss of his driver’s license. Felony hit-and-run and driving while impaired are governed by statutes in Chapter 20 of the North Carolina General Assembly. Full details are available from the North Carolina General Assembly.
Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed either crash, or who has video from the scenes, to contact investigators as they piece together what happened. This story will be updated as Raleigh and Wake County officials release additional information.
