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In Currituck County on U.S. 158, a Nags Head woman died in a three-car wreck on Oct. 6, 2021.

The incident happened just north of Grandy as the speed limit changes from 55 miles per hour to 45.

According to State Highway Patrol Sgt. D.W. Weaver, Joni Love Arakaki, 60, of Nags Head, was traveling eastbound in the outside lane when her red 2002 Ford Escape veered across the center lane and hit head-on a 2004 Toyota Tundra pickup in the westbound outside lane. Arakaki was pronounced dead at the scene.

Driving the pickup was Richard Dana Edwards, 75, who suffered serious, non-life-threatening injuries. The passenger was Mary Windsor Edwards, also 75. Both were flown to Norfolk General Hospital. The Edwardses live in Currituck and were reportedly returning from the beach.

A few car lengths behind in the inside lane, Samantha Seward Moye was driving her black 2009 Honda Civic, saw the accident and took evasive action into the center lane, according to Weaver. Arakaki’s vehicle deflected off the truck, spun into the roadway and sideswiped Moye’s car. Moye ended up crashing through some trees into a ditch on the westbound side of the highway, stated Weaver. Moye, who is pregnant, was taken to The Outer Banks Hospital’s Labor and Delivery department for monitoring.

The collision remains under investigation. No charges are pending due to the death of Arakaki. An autopsy will be performed, reported Weaver.

Also responding to the scene were Currituck County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Medical Services personnel. Nightingale flew the Edwardses to Norfolk General.

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