Executive Summary
- The crash occurred Wednesday at 1:38 p.m. on West Vandalia Road in Greensboro.
- Paul Irvin Bigelow Jr., 55, was killed after his vehicle crossed the double yellow line.
- The second driver, John Michael Barrett, 54, was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
- Greensboro Police have identified excessive speed as a factor in the collision.
GREENSBORO, N.C. — A fatal head-on collision on Wednesday afternoon in Greensboro resulted in the death of one motorist and injuries to another. The incident, which authorities say involved a vehicle crossing the center line, occurred at approximately 1:38 p.m. on West Vandalia Road near Gar Place.
According to the Greensboro Police Department, 55-year-old Paul Irvin Bigelow Jr. was operating a Honda Accord eastbound when the vehicle crossed the double yellow line. Investigators stated that the Accord subsequently collided with a GMC Sierra driven by 54-year-old John Michael Barrett.
Emergency responders pronounced Bigelow dead at the scene due to fatal injuries sustained in the crash. Barrett sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital for treatment, according to police reports.
Authorities have formally identified excessive speed as a contributing factor in the collision. The Greensboro Police Department’s Crash Reconstruction Unit is currently leading the investigation into the specific circumstances surrounding the incident. Police have urged anyone with information to contact Greensboro/Guilford Crime Stoppers.
Investigative Outlook
The involvement of the Crash Reconstruction Unit indicates a comprehensive technical analysis is underway to determine the precise velocity of the vehicles and the dynamics of the lane departure. While excessive speed has been cited as a primary factor, investigators will likely examine vehicle data recorders and physical roadway evidence to rule out or confirm additional variables. Traffic investigations of this nature typically prioritize establishing the sequence of events to close the case file or determine if any further administrative or safety recommendations are warranted for the specific stretch of roadway.
