Crash en route to hospital kills one woman, severs another's arm

DURHAM, N.C. -- The family of a woman killed in a car crash in Durham Friday

opened up and shared more details of that sad day.

Frances Moseley, 70, was killed when the Trailblazer she rode as a passenger in was struck Friday morning on 15-501.

Moseley, along with her daughter-in-law were on their way to UNC Hospital to see Moseley's daughter, Nichole. She's battling thyroid cancer and was having surgery the morning of the crash.

Now Nichole, along with her brother Arthur, are making funeral arrangements for their mother, but the road ahead is a long one.

"It's been a roller coaster ride... a big roller coaster ride," said Nichole.

Cassandra Moseley, Arthur's wife, lost her arm in the crash. Thanks to other drivers on the road who stopped and helped, Cassandra's injury wasn't fatal.

"If it wasn't for that guy with the tourniquet she would have lost her life. He and so many others around that car are the reason she's alive," Arthur said.

Cassandra is scheduled to have at least one more surgery before she can return home. The family hopes to meet the mystery person who saved Cassandra's life.

As the Moseleys plan their mother's funeral, they're reminded of what all she left behind.

"It's that legacy of love I think... it's that just to love each other," Nichole said.

The family does have a GoFundMe page set up but is asking for prayers as they move forward.

Durham police said the driver of a Ford F-150, 67-year-old Vernon Smith Jr., lost control while going east onto US 15-501 South and struck the Trailblazer.

Smith, of Graham, was charged with misdemeanor death and careless and reckless driving, Smith had no signs of impairment, Durham police said.

A black Mercedes driven by Angela Carlton-Campbell, crashed after it was struck by a wheelchair that flew out of Smith's pickup after impact.

Smith and Campbell were taken to Duke Hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

The fatal crash closed all lanes US 15-501 near US 70 for several hours as debris stretched across all lanes.

"I saw the pickup truck and car went in front of me ... the truck was pushing the car," said Juan Hortas, who was nearly involved in the crash. He said the TrailBlazer flipped.

The roadway reopened about 11 a.m.