Fatal DUI Crash at U.S. Highway 70 Business in Clayton Claims Life of 19-Year-Old Genesis Enamorado
Johnston County man with BAC twice the legal limit charged in fatal US 70 crash
Nieves is charged with driving while intoxicated, driving with a revoked license and felony death by motor vehicle.
A tragic collision at a major Clayton intersection resulted in the death of a young woman during the early morning hours of Friday. Around 2:30 a.m., 19-year-old Genesis Enamorado was fatally injured when her Nissan was struck by a Chevrolet Silverado near the intersection of U.S. Highway 70 Business and Town Centre Boulevard. According to witness statements provided to police, the truck, driven by 48-year-old J. Guadalupe Moreno Nieves of Selma, ran a stoplight at the intersection and collided with Enamorado's vehicle as she pulled out of a shopping center parking lot driveway. Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but Enamorado did not survive the impact. Neither Nieves nor his passenger sustained injuries in the crash. Authorities administered a breathalyzer test to Nieves approximately three hours after the collision, which revealed his blood alcohol concentration was twice the legal limit. Nieves now faces multiple charges including driving while intoxicated, driving with a revoked license, and felony death by motor vehicle. Following a virtual court appearance, he remains in Johnston County jail under a $5 million bond, with his next court date scheduled for April 3.
Location and Infrastructure
The collision occurred at a well-known intersection along U.S. Highway 70 Business in Clayton, specifically near Town Centre Boulevard in front of a shopping center. This stretch of highway serves as a major thoroughfare for both local traffic and commuters traveling through Johnston County. The intersection is equipped with traffic signals designed to regulate the flow of vehicles entering and exiting the commercial area. However, according to local commuters, this particular section of roadway has previously presented safety concerns. Area resident Kevin Wilson noted that "At times, the speed does get a bit wild," adding that "When there's nobody out here, it does become a bit of a racetrack." This suggests that despite traffic control measures, speeding and potentially dangerous driving behaviors may be common at this location, especially during off-peak hours such as the early morning when this fatal crash occurred.
Legal Rights and Considerations
Under North Carolina law, victims of DUI-related crashes and their families have specific legal rights. In this case, the charges of felony death by motor vehicle carry significant penalties under N.C. General Statute § 20-141.4, which specifically addresses impaired driving resulting in death. The family of the deceased may be entitled to pursue wrongful death claims seeking compensation for funeral expenses, lost future income, and pain and suffering. North Carolina follows the contributory negligence doctrine, which can affect recovery if multiple parties share fault. For insurance purposes, North Carolina requires minimum liability coverage of $30,000 per person for bodily injury, though cases involving fatalities often exceed these limits. Importantly, there is a two-year statute of limitations for wrongful death claims in North Carolina, meaning legal action must be initiated within this timeframe. Victims' families may benefit from consulting with a personal injury attorney specializing in motor vehicle fatalities.
Related Resources
Emergency Services:
- Clayton Police Department: (919) 553-4611
- Johnston County Sheriff's Office: (919) 989-5010
- Johnston County Emergency Services: (919) 989-5050
Traffic Safety Resources:
- North Carolina Governor's Highway Safety Program: https://www.ncdot.gov/initiatives-policies/safety/ghsp/
- Johnston County Vision Zero Initiative
- North Carolina Department of Transportation Safety Programs
Support Services for Accident Victims:
- North Carolina Victim Assistance Network: (800) 348-5068
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) North Carolina Chapter: (919) 787-6599
- Johnston County Crisis Intervention Services
Legal and Regulatory Information:
- North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles: https://www.ncdot.gov/dmv/
- North Carolina General Statutes on Motor Vehicle Laws: Chapter 20
- North Carolina Victim Compensation Services: (800) 826-6200
What every victim of a Clayton drunk-driving collision needs to know
It is a sad fact that many injury and fatality accidents are caused by drunk or drugged drivers. Despite all prevention efforts, people still take the risk and drive after drinking, causing a large number of accidents and deaths on Clayton roadways.
All victims of a drunk driver, or the family of someone killed in a drunk-driving crash, need reliable information on what to do immediately to launch an insurance claim and ensure that the at-fault driver is held accountable for their actions. Learn more here about how a Clayton drunk driving accident lawyer can help. In the event where someone is killed in a collision caused by a drunk driver, an experienced Clayton wrongful death lawyer is needed to handle the complicated wrongful death insurance claim.