Man Dies When Car Slams Into Gas Pump

Authorities said 50-year-old Edward Poythress Jr. ran off the road and overcorrected, and then lost control of his white Ford.

The car plowed into a gas pump, throwing it several feet. A pole that supports a canopy over the gas pumps heavily damaged the car's driver side.

Poythress was a regular customer of the gas station. He died on the scene of the wreck, which happened at 6 a.m.

"I (saw) the man who got killed just outside, and I'm just so sorry about it because I know him," said station owner Ali Salah. "I know his family. He is just a nice guy."

There was no explosion or fire during the wreck at Stoney Creek Mini Mart, which is north of Goldsboro at

Highway 111 N. and Stoney Creek Church Road

. Crews spent most of the day trying to repair two of the station's five pumps.

Workers say it will likely be Thursday, at the earliest, before any of the pumps are turned back on. Salah isn't focused on the loss of business -- he's more upset about the life lost.

"I don't care about the damage," he said. "I'm just so sorry for the person that got killed."

Police say speed may have played a role in the accident. They estimate the victim was driving about 65 miles per hour -- 10 miles over the limit.