Toyota Sequoia leaves roadway and strikes tree outside Garland
December 13, 2025 | Sampson, NC
North Carolina State Highway Patrol troopers arrived at a deadly single-vehicle accident near Garland in Sampson County on Saturday evening.
A 2006 Toyota Sequoia traveling east on North Carolina Highway 411 veered across the centerline at high speed around 6:30 p.m., exited the road, hit a ditch, collided with a tree, and burst into flames. The crash also brought down nearby power lines.
Reginald K. Howard, 39, of Harrells, died when a 2006 Toyota Sequoia left North Carolina Highway 411 and struck a tree in Sampson County.
What Happened in the Crash?
The incident unfolded quickly on Harrells Highway, leaving emergency responders with a challenging scene due to the fire and structural damage.
- Date and Time: Dec. 13, 2025, approximately 6:30 p.m.
- Location: North Carolina Highway 411 (Harrells Highway) near Garland, Sampson County
- Vehicle Involved: 2006 Toyota Sequoia
- Fatalities: Two individuals perished at the scene
- Additional Effect: Power lines are down, causing potential hazards
Who Were the Victims?
Among those lost was 39-year-old Reginald K. Howard of Harrells, who was a passenger in the SUV. The driver, a 33-year-old from Stedman, also suffered fatal injuries.
Authorities continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the collision.
Why Do These Accidents Happen?
High-speed travel often plays a critical role in roadway tragedies, limiting reaction times and amplifying crash severity.
Factors like road conditions, visibility and driver behavior are routinely assessed in such events.
Contributing Factors in NC Traffic Crashes (2023 Data, NC DMV) |
Details |
|---|
Total Crashes |
284,157 |
Fatalities |
1,686 |
Speeding-Related Incidents |
A leading cause, reducing stopping distance and safety structure effectiveness |
Other Common Elements |
Reckless driving, poor visibility, environmental hazards |
(Source: North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles)
Legal Insights
In cases such as this involving motor vehicle collisions, thorough analysis is essential to uncover root causes and support affected families.
“Road conditions, visibility, and lighting are all possible contributing factors considered and examined,” said Candice Bond, managing partner with Bond Legal. “It is imperative to come to a determination of the exact cause of these types of accidents. An attorney has the resources to review applicable insurance coverage, hire witnesses, run background checks, and locate witnesses. We carefully guide the family of the victim through the process.”
“An accident reconstruction team is sometimes needed to help piece together what happened. All of these resources are necessary for helping clients receive monetary compensation for damages or a loss following a collision,” said Bond.
Key takeaways from legal perspectives on wrongful death scenarios:
- Families may pursue claims for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
- Legal representation ensures protection against insurance companies and aids in securing fair compensation.
- Staying informed on investigations helps safeguard rights and interests.
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal. “We understand just what families must go through, and having their rights protected is vital. A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected.”
"An attorney can protect victims from large insurance companies and their team of lawyers while diligently examining the facts of the accident. An attorney will vigorously advocate for a family who has lost a loved one, ensuring that their legal rights are protected."
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If you or a family member has been affected by a similar incident, national legal analyst Candice Bond is available for a free consultation. Use the contact information provided on this page.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).