Crash death toll at 4

Driver and father dies

By: Richelle Bailey | McDowell News
Published: January 07, 2010

A New Year's Eve crash has claimed the life of a fourth person.
Jerry Alan Reel Jr., 37, of Amelia Drive died at Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville at approximately 4 a.m. Thursday, according to officials with the N.C. Highway Patrol. Reel had been in a coma since the wreck, his mother stated in a previous interview.
In addition, The McDowell News has obtained records that show a judge ordered Reel, just three days prior to the deadly collision, not to be driving.
Two of Reel's sons, Timberland Gage Reel, 5, and Gavin Xavier Reel, 3, both of Misty Mountain Estates in Nebo, were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
Another son, Jordan Daniel Reel, 14, of Lackey Town Road in Old Fort, was taken to The McDowell Hospital, where doctors pronounced him deceased.
The crash occurred at 2:56 p.m. last Thursday on Hankins Road near the intersection of Riverview Drive.
Trooper T.D. Brewer of the Highway Patrol said Jerry Reel was driving a 2000 Chevrolet Lumina east on Hankins, and, according to a witness, passed another vehicle at Fish Hatchery Road. The witness told Brewer Reel was traveling 80 to 90 mph in a 40 mph zone. The car ran off the pavement, and the left rear quarter panel of the Chevrolet slammed into a tree, the trooper stated.
A Highway Patrol reconstruction team is continuing its examination of the wreck to determine the minimum speed at which Reel was traveling prior to impact.
Brewer had already charged Jerry Reel with driving while impaired and driving while license revoked.
The trooper stated that authorities found prescription drugs in Reel's pocket after the crash. The pills were sedatives, or anxiety-relieving medications, according to Brewer.
Records show that Jerry appeared in McDowell County District Court three days prior to the crash on a charge of driving while license revoked. The judge sentenced him to 18 months on supervised probation and ordered him to pay court costs, perform community service and not operate a motor vehicle until properly licensed.
In a previous interview with a McDowell News reporter, Carolyn Reel, Jerry's mother, said her son loved his kids and "would have never, never done nothing to hurt them."

Crash death toll at 4

Driver and father dies

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