Man wanted in boat trailer death commits suicide
The man wanted in the death of a 20-year-old woman thrown from a boat trailer on Tuesday shot and killed himself Thursday, according to Lt. Jeff Gordon of the State Highway Patrol.
Posted — UpdatedAnthony James Pantano, 29, of Sanford, faced charges of felony death by motor vehicle, felony hit and run, driving while impaired and careless and reckless driving.
According to Gordon, two officers went to Pantano's home Thursday and heard a single gunshot. Officers called for backup and surrounded the suspect’s home at 116 Wood Run. Upon entering, authorities found Pantano dead from a single self-inflicted gunshot in a back bedroom.
Troopers said Allison Bennett, 20, of Fort Bragg, was sitting in the front of the boat being towed by Pantano’s truck Tuesday night when Pantano ran off a road in the Carolina Lakes community, in Harnett County, causing the trailer to bounce. Bennett was thrown from the boat and then struck by the trailer, troopers said.
According to troopers, Pantano stopped as passengers checked on Bennett, but then left the scene in his 1999 Dodge pickup truck.
Bennett was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, where she later died. Investigators said they believe alcohol was a factor in the crash.
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