The Burlington Police Department, Burlington Fire Department, and Alamance County EMS all responded to the scene. According to officials, a 72-year-old man was traveling northbound on Maple Avenue in 1997 Lexus LS400 when he collided with a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu driven by Ellen Smith Hicks. Both cars traveled off the road following the crash. The Lexus struck the front porch of a home in the 500 block of Maple Avenue.
Hicks suffered critical injuries and died at the accident scene. The driver of the Lexus and his 71-year-old with were both transported to a local hospital for treatment. Their identities have not been released at this time. Police say that speed was a factor in the collision.
There have been no charges filed at this time. An investigation is ongoing.
We would like to offer our condolences to the family of Ellen Smith Hicks following this tragic car accident in Burlington.
Fatal Crashes in North Carolina 
North Carolina experienced an 8% increase in traffic fatalities in 2020. During this year, 1,506 people were killed in North Carolina car accidents. Speed was a contributing factor in about 25% of all fatal accidents. Most deadly crashes in our state are caused by some type of negligent driving. Distraction, reckless driving, impairment, and speeding are among the primary contributing causes. Each collision must be carefully investigated in order to determine the cause and to ensure that the appropriate driver is held responsible for their actions. In some cases, it can be complicated to determine liability and a full reconstruction is needed.
Following a car accident in North Carolina, you are likely to have questions about your legal rights. If you have lost a loved one in the crash, you are no doubt going through a difficult time. As you struggle to move forward following the accident, you may wonder if your life will ever return to normal. While the loss of a relative is an extremely devastating experience, you may have legal rights and options that can help you receive compensation for some of the unexpected expenses that will arise.
Here at Burton Law Firm, we know what you are going through. We have handled numerous cases involving the wrongful death of innocent motorists and we know what needs to be done in order to help you get the justice that you deserve. From our office in Raleigh, we proudly represent clients throughout central North Carolina. Our team stands ready to help when you need us the most.
Our firm provides free consultations to all potential clients. Our North Carolina wrongful death attorneys are here to advise you regarding your rights and we will help formulate a successful plan as you move forward. To schedule your free appointment, please reach out to us at the link on our website or give us a call any time at (833) 623-0042.
Disclaimer: Our team of personal injury lawyers at Burton Law Firm has taken pride in being active members of our local business community for more than 8 years. We are always striving to improve the quality of life for our community members and improve the overall safety and well-being of all North Carolinians. We hope that by providing this information about the dangers of driving that we will bring added awareness and drivers will use increased caution when operating a motor vehicle. Our thoughts are with everyone who may have been affected by this incident. This post is not a solicitation for business. None of the information in this post should be misconstrued as medical or legal advice. The photos in this post are not a depiction of the actual accident scene.