Brunswick County, NC — February 18, 2025, Cora Cartrette was killed following a car accident that occurred at around 6:00 A.M. on US 17.

An investigation is underway following a car accident that left one person dead during the morning hours of February 18th. According to official reports, a Sheriff's Deputy was responding to a call from another officer when he went through the US 17 and Ploof Road intersection as 45-year-old Cora Cartrette was making a turn on Ploof Rd. from US 17 when she was struck by the Deputy.

The impacts caused Cartrette's vehicle to hit a curb and then strike a utility pole, and when first responders arrived on the scene they found that she had sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased. At this time the accident is under investigation, and currently there are few other details available, however as the investigators continue to piece together the details, more information may become available.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I read about a crash like this, my first thought is that I hope investigators can provide clear answers for the loved ones of those involved. Any collision between a civilian vehicle and a law enforcement officer responding to a call raises important questions about the circumstances leading up to the crash. While initial reports confirm what happened, they don’t necessarily explain why it happened. To truly understand the cause of the crash, three critical questions must be asked.

First, have authorities thoroughly investigated the crash? Law enforcement will typically document the scene, review traffic camera footage, and gather witness statements to determine the sequence of events. However, a deeper analysis is often necessary. Was the deputy using emergency lights and sirens at the time of the crash? Did traffic signals, road conditions, or visibility play a role in the collision? Were there any indications that either driver attempted to brake or take evasive action? A full accident reconstruction could help clarify how and why the vehicles collided.

Second, has anyone looked into the possibility of a vehicle defect? While law enforcement vehicles are subject to rigorous maintenance schedules, mechanical failures—such as brake issues, steering malfunctions, or acceleration problems—can still occur. If the deputy’s vehicle experienced a mechanical failure, it’s critical that investigators examine it before repairs or modifications are made, as key evidence could be lost. Similarly, the condition of the other vehicle should be assessed to rule out any mechanical issues that may have contributed to the crash.

Third, has all electronic data relating to the crash been collected? Many modern vehicles, including law enforcement vehicles, are equipped with electronic control modules (ECMs) that store critical information such as speed, braking efforts, and steering input before a crash. Additionally, traffic cameras, dashcams, or body cameras may have captured footage that provides valuable insight into the moments leading up to the collision. If investigators fail to secure this evidence quickly, it may be lost, making it harder to determine exactly what happened.

At the end of the day, the family of the person involved deserves clear answers. If the official investigation leaves any gaps, independent experts may be needed to ensure that every possible factor is considered. Whether the cause was environmental, mechanical, or something else entirely, the community owes it to those affected to make sure all available evidence is carefully examined.