Passenger Dies Three Weeks After East Charlotte Head-On Crash

CHARLOTTE, NC — Charlotte police are launching an accident investigation after a 72-year-old passenger died from injuries three weeks after the minivan she was in crossed a double yellow center line and hit a car in oncoming traffic.

The May 9 accident occurred shortly before 1:30 p.m. in the 7500 block of Pence Road when the Toyota Sienna minivan driven by Benjavan Pandech Yaemmongkol crossed the center line and struck a Chevrolet Impala head on.

Yaemmongkol, 56, was taken to Carolinas Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries and her front seat passenger, Dorothy Clark Witherspoon, had life-threatening injuries.

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Witherspoon was pronounced dead due to those injuries Thursday, May 31, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police said in a statement.

The driver of the Chevrolet — 73-year-old Thelma Clark Clyburn — was transported to Novant Health hospital with serious injuries.

CMPD said the accident remains under investigation and that speed and alcohol do not appear to be contributing factors.

Investigators ask that anyone with information about this case contact Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

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