Pender Co. residents take action to avoid future fatal wrecks in areas that have storm debris

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WECT) - A Maple Hill woman was struck and killed by a truck along N.C. 53 outside of Burgaw Thursday evening.

According to officials with the N.C. State Highway Patrol, the accident happened around 5:45 p.m. near the intersection with River Bend Drive.

Troopers said a 2002 GMC work truck was traveling east on N.C. 53 when it collided with 64-year-old Janet Swinson.

A witness told troopers that Swinson was attempting to gather a piece of plywood from the shoulder of the road when she was hit.

No charges are expected to be filed.

Residents in the area are worried an accident like this might happen again so they are taking the matter into their own hands.

River Bend Drive residents are patrolling the area in shifts to make sure no one dumps or takes any more debris on the property. Patti Cannan had her shift on Friday and says she’s been successful at keeping people away.

“I’ve been up here since noon just waiting for someone to come through and several people have come through and seen me sitting there and turned around," Cannan said. "It’s been successful.”

Pender County’s public information officer says debris trucks will continue to pick up debris until Dec. 21.

Copyright 2018 WECT. All rights reserved.