Witnesses told police that McRae, who was a Southern Pines resident, appeared to be wearing headphones and didn’t look to see if the crossing was safe. She was wearing workout clothes.
From talking to people from the area, police found that this was part of a routine for McRae.
Charles Lucius Bethea, 62, of Southern Pines, was driving a 1988 Dodge van northbound when he saw McRae come into his path. Bethea attempted stop and swerve, police said. He swerved into the inside lane, but his van still struck McRae. The impact threw her onto the hood.
The vehicle traveled 78 feet before the coming to a rest and throwing McRae off.
Police decided not to charge Bethea. A Southern Pines resident, he was going to Jordan Lake for a fishing trip, police said. He escaped with no injuries, though police said he was visibly upset.
The accident occurred at 6:57 a.m. in front of the Lob-Steer Inn. The investigation closed northbound U.S. 1 for several hours.
