Local News
Residents raise safety concerns about N.C. 211 construction in Aberdeen
A stretch of N.C. 211 near Domino Drive in Aberdeen has become a growing concern for local residents after a series of recent crashes. Many point to a sharp drop-off created by ongoing roadwork as the cause of these crashes.
The roadwork is part of a long-term North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) project to widen N.C. 211 to four lanes. However, residents say temporary conditions at certain points, particularly near Domino Road, have left drivers at risk.
One nearby resident said she has witnessed the problem firsthand. “There have been at least four wrecks in the last few months in this spot on Highway 211, and I’ve heard three of them from inside my house as they’ve happened,” she recounted. “I’ve lived in my house over nine years, and there’s never been an accident here.”
After the most recent crash, she walked to the site and noticed “the severe drop-off, inches away from the white line.” The area leaves very little room for error and makes correction difficult.
“If they slightly drift over the white line, their tire goes off the pavement and there’s no coming back,” she explained. “There are no DOT road signs or cones to warn drivers or to slow traffic down. I’m afraid if it’s left as it is, there’s going to be a really bad accident and someone is going to die as a result of this oversight.”
Sandhills Sentinel previously covered a wreck in this area involving a van hauling a trailer that left the roadway and rolled. The driver was airlifted as a result of the crash, and the North Carolina Highway Patrol trooper at the scene attributed the cause to the steep drop-off.
According to the project description on NCDOT’s website, the department plans to widen N.C. 211 to a four-lane divided highway between U.S. 15-501 in Aberdeen and West Palmer Street in Raeford, a distance of about 15.4 miles. The project reportedly aims to reduce congestion, improve safety, and correct deficiencies in the existing roadway.
The length of N.C. 211 currently undergoing construction from Aberdeen to Raeford. Map via NCDOT’s website.
The website says the widening will address narrow travel lanes, limited shoulders, and sight-distance issues, but its online project report does not list a projected completion date.
Traffic volumes along N.C. 211 ranged from 4,200 to 13,600 vehicles per day in 2015 and are projected to rise more than 60 percent by 2040, according to NCDOT data. The department also reported 451 crashes along the corridor during a five-year period, with total and fatal crash rates higher than the statewide average for similar roads.
Sandhills Sentinel reached out to NCDOT for comment about when repairs or additional safety measures may be made in this section but did not receive a response.
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~ Article and photo by Sandhills Sentinel Assistant Editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
Two people were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins linked to a Felony Lane Gang operating across multiple states.
According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers responded to OrangeTheory Fitness on August 4 after a vehicle was broken into and items were reportedly stolen.
“Investigators began following leads and linked the case to similar cases in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Foxfire, Pittsboro, High Point, and Fuquay-Varina,” states the Aberdeen Police Department in a press release. “A multi-jurisdictional investigation began, and investigators verified suspects in this case were part of a Felony Lane Gang that was targeting vehicles at gyms across several states.”
Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a rental car and located it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Surveillance footage from a bank in Cary helped investigators identify Victoria Tudor, 48, of Raleigh, and Ethan Smith, 33, of Youngsville, as suspects.
Warrants were issued on September 26. Smith is facing charges of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, and Tudor is facing charges of felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses. On November 7, officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department and the Raleigh Fugitive Task Force located the pair. Both were taken before a Wake County magistrate and received $5,000 secured bonds.
Police said the case remains open as investigators continue working with surrounding agencies to identify additional suspects.
All suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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Via Aberdeen Police Department.
Three people were arrested Thursday after Moore County Sheriff’s Office investigators executed a search warrant at a residence in the 100 block of Bell Fork Road in the Heflin Mobile Home Park in Aberdeen.
Detectives conducted the search on Nov. 13 and seized suspected cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, psilocybin mushrooms, marijuana, multiple items of drug and marijuana paraphernalia, thirteen firearms, and more than $2,800 in cash.
Investigators arrested Jose Sanchez, 26, of Aberdeen, and charged him with felony possession of a Schedule I controlled substance; possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine; felony possession of cocaine; possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana; felony possession of marijuana; two counts of maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for controlled substances; and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was booked into the Moore County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in district court on Dec.10.
Tabitha Sanchez, 56, of Aberdeen, was charged with felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance; simple possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance; and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was held at the Moore County Detention Center under a $5,500 secured bond and is also scheduled to appear in district court on Dec.10.
Brandy Grice, 50, of Aberdeen, was charged with possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia. She was committed to the Moore County Detention Center under a $5,500 secured bond and has the same Dec. 10 district court date.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Via Moore County Sheriff’s Office.
Two people were arrested in connection with a series of vehicle break-ins linked to a Felony Lane Gang operating across multiple states.
According to the Aberdeen Police Department, officers responded to OrangeTheory Fitness on August 4 after a vehicle was broken into and items were reportedly stolen.
“Investigators began following leads and linked the case to similar cases in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, Foxfire, Pittsboro, High Point, and Fuquay-Varina,” states the Aberdeen Police Department in a press release. “A multi-jurisdictional investigation began, and investigators verified suspects in this case were part of a Felony Lane Gang that was targeting vehicles at gyms across several states.”
Detectives identified the suspect vehicle as a rental car and located it at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Surveillance footage from a bank in Cary helped investigators identify Victoria Tudor, 48, of Raleigh, and Ethan Smith, 33, of Youngsville, as suspects.
Warrants were issued on September 26. Smith is facing charges of felony obtaining property by false pretenses, and Tudor is facing charges of felony conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses. On November 7, officers with the Fuquay-Varina Police Department and the Raleigh Fugitive Task Force located the pair. Both were taken before a Wake County magistrate and received $5,000 secured bonds.
Police said the case remains open as investigators continue working with surrounding agencies to identify additional suspects.
All suspects and persons charged with a crime are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
To sign up for the free Sandhills Sentinel breaking news e-newsletter, please click here.
Via Aberdeen Police Department.
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