Eure woman dies in accident

Published 2:52 pm Thursday, July 13, 2023

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EURE – Another tragedy has struck Gates County just three days after two young brothers lost their lives in a motor vehicle accident on Sunday.

On Wednesday, 71-year-old Ann Askew of Eure was tragically killed in an accident on White Oak Road.

According to a report filed by North Carolina State Highway Patrol Trooper Zack Mize, Askew was operating a riding lawnmower, heading southwest back towards her residence after cutting grass at family-owned property located a short distance from her home.

At around 5:45 pm, 79-year-old Forrest Rountree Jr. of Eure, operating a 2003 Ford SUV, was also traveling southwest on White Oak Road. Rountree’s vehicle struck the lawnmower in the rear, causing Askew to be ejected.

Askew was transported by Gates County Rescue & EMS to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital where she passed away.

It is not known at this point if charges will be lodged against Rountree as an investigation continues into the accident.