Garner Crash Claims Four

Four men who suffered fatal personal injuries after being ejected from a sport utility vehicle that wrecked on Rock Service Station Road near Garner on July 1 have been identified by North Carolina State Troopers as 18-year-old Raleigh resident Detrique Baker, 18-year-old Garner resident Evan J. Bridges, 38-year-old Willow Springs resident Larry D. Evans, and 22-year-old Raleigh resident Tony C. Smith Jr.

According to Sgt. Jeff Gordon, none of the men had identification with them, so troopers had to use fingerprints and distinguishing characteristics to identify them.

The men were thrown from a 2003 silver Chevrolet Trailblazer that was speeding as it rounded a curve, ran off the road to the right, swerved left, went into a ditch, and overturned in a wooded area, according to Sgt. Bo Johnson. Three men were sent a distance of about 20 feet and the fourth was sent about 50 feet.

There were no witnesses. A passing driver reported the accident shortly before 4 a.m.

Troopers say they have not determined which of the victims was driving at the time or the SUV’s speed at the time of the accident. None of the men were wearing seat belts.

Evans has been convicted three times for driving while impaired and twice for driving on a revoked license, according to records from the state Department of Corrections. He was serving probation for a conviction for assault with a deadly weapon from May. His criminal record dates back to 1989 and also includes convictions for larceny.

DOC records also show that Bridges was listed as an absconder from probation stemming from a larceny conviction in March and Smith had convictions for felony breaking and entering in 2007 and 2008.