On Monday, December 2, 2024, at approximately 1:39 pm, officers from the Kinston Police Department, as well as additional emergency personnel from the Kinston Department of Fire & Rescue and Lenoir County Emergency Services responded to a motor vehicle collision on the 100 blk of E. Vernon Avenue involving 6 vehicles. Several occupants in the vehicles involved sustained injuries in the motor vehicle collision and Torrey Gardner, 51, of Kinston died as a result of the vehicle collision. Prior to the collision, Gardner was traveling east bound on Vernon Avenue when he struck the first vehicle, causing a chain reaction. At this time, it is believed that Mr. Gardner may have suffered a medical emergency just prior to the crash. Mr. Gardner was transported to ECU Health where passed away.

This case is currently under investigation. At this time, we have limited information to share with the public and due to the complexity of the investigation, at this time no charges have been filed in the motor vehicle collision.