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On Saturday night, Dec. 10, 2022 about 7:30 p.m., a head-on collision occurred on U.S. 64 just outside Manteo.

According to the Highway Patrol, Silvero Lopez, 22, of Manteo, was driving a 1998 Toyota Forerunner going north, moved into the southbound lane and struck a 2021 Nissan SUV rental head on. The SUV was driven by Daniel Turney, of Seattle, Wash.

Lopez drove into the parking lot at Duck Thru and through a bay in the adjacent car wash. Lopez struck a 2007 Nissan pick-up truck, owned by James Petersen. Lopez’s Forerunner ended up stuck on top of a car wash vacuum on a two-foot pedestal.

Two people fled the scene.

Dare County Sheriff’s Office deputies called in Dare MedFlight to search for the two people, who eventually walked back toward the scene. Eye witnesses identified the two people, who took off again, but this time the pair was caught and subdued by Dare County Sheriff’s deputies Matt Fountain and John Oliver.

State Highway Trooper Karl Libby charged Silvero Lopez with driving while impaired, no operator’s license, open container and reckless driving. Bond was set at $7,000. His blood alcohol content registered 0.20, when the legal limit is 0.08.

The sheriff’s deputies charged the passenger Jesus Lopez, 26, with resist, delay and obstruct and leaving the scene as a passenger. Bond was set at $5,000. He was transported to The Outer Banks Hospital by a Dare County Emergency Medical Services team at the scene. The driver was checked at the accident scene.

The assigned court date is Jan. 6, 2023.

State Highway Patrol Sgt. Colby Dridget investigated the accident.

Assisting with the search was Manteo Police Department’s canine.

Estimated damages are $25,000 to the car wash owned by Manteo Pro Wash, $5,000 for the SUV, $2,000 for the Forerunner and $1,200 for the pick-up truck.

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