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On Saturday afternoon, May 15, 2021, multiple emergency agencies responded to a vehicle wreck on the eastbound lanes of Wright Memorial Bridge.

At 2:50 p.m., a mechanical issue with an axle on 1982 Jeep caused the left rear tire to detach. The Jeep was forced right; hit the curb on the bridge, rolled over and quickly caught fire.

Driving the Jeep was 17-year-old Conner McGrevy from Virginia Beach, who perished. His father Shannon McGrevy was the passenger, tried to get his son out, suffered burns and was transported to Outer Banks Hospital by Dare Emergency Medical Services, according to an official. Both were wearing seat belts.

No other vehicles were involved in the accident.

Kitty Hawk Police Chief Joel Johnson reports motorists attempted to assist. The town’s officers secured the scene until the State Highway Patrol trooper arrived.

Kitty Hawk Fire Department extinguished the fire.

The bridge carries U.S. 158 from Point Harbor to Kitty Hawk. Three Kitty Hawk police officers implemented a pre-set scenario to keep traffic moving by rotating between east- and west-bound traffic, using the westbound bridge. Creating the scenario was a multi-jurisdictional exercise, initiated by the State Highway Patrol.

Also assisting with traffic control were law enforcement officers from Southern Shores, Currituck County Sheriff’s Office and Dare County Sheriff’s Office.

The scene cleared around 5:30 p.m.

State Highway Patrol First Sargent Edwin Forbes expressed gratitude for the great communications and quick response.

A GoFundMe account has been set up to pay funeral and memorial expenses. The total as of Tuesday afternoon was $31,696 of a $15,000 goal.

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