Driver Kills Grandmother Working in Yard

Highway Patrol says 26-year-old Shane Stanley of Oakboro lost control of his SUV and hit 74-year-old Evelyn Tarlton.

 

The unexpected trauma left Tarlton’s family with no words.

 

“Evelyn Tarlton was the salt of the earth,” cried her neighbor, Fran Duggan. “I just can’t believe this happened.”

 

Duggan came home after medics took the driver to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. 

 

She tells WCCB Charlotte speeding cars often wreck into yards at Highway 200 and Vanderburg Drive.

 

Tire marks were left in the grass where the SUV drove off the road, hit Tarlton, and didn’t stop until it crashed into a neighbor’s house.

 

Troopers say initial evidence didn’t show alcohol or speeding caused the wreck. It is not clear yet if a medical condition played a part. 

 

Tarlton and her husband Melvin were working in the yard. Trooper A.L Green says Evelyn saw the SUV coming and yelled for Melvin. 

 

“He was able to get out of the way. He thought she was coming behind him, but apparently she may have gone in another direction,” said Trooper Green. 

 

“Oh, Evelyn!” said Duggan. “She must have sacrificed herself to save her husband. They loved each other so much.”

 

A wrecker took Stanley’s blazer to a place investigators can test it to see if a malfunction caused him to wreck. 

 

Troopers say once they have Stanley’s medical tests, they will give info to District Attorney who will decide if he will charge the man.