Luz E. Arroyo Obituary, Death – A tragic accident in Fayetteville on Sunday morning claimed the life of a 64-year-old woman after her vehicle was struck from behind and forced into a utility pole, according to police. The Fayetteville Police Department reported that the crash happened just before 11:10 a.m. on Morganton Road, near Hearthstone Drive, a stretch located west of Reilly Road. The wreck marked the second fatal crash in the city within a 24-hour span.
Investigators said the collision involved a 2022 Dodge Ram pickup truck and a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. The pickup, driven by 41-year-old Richard B. Goodyear of Fayetteville, was reportedly traveling at a high rate of speed heading west along Morganton Road toward Ruritan Drive. Police allege that Goodyear’s vehicle slammed into the rear of the Volkswagen SUV, forcing it off course and into a utility pole with devastating force.
The driver of the Volkswagen, identified as Luz E. Arroyo, 64, of Fayetteville, suffered fatal injuries in the crash. Despite emergency response efforts, Arroyo did not survive.
Goodyear, the driver of the Dodge Ram, was transported to a nearby hospital in stable condition. Following the incident, police charged him with several offenses, including misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, careless and reckless driving, failure to reduce speed to avoid a collision, and driving on the wrong side of the road.
Authorities described the crash as part of an “active investigation,” with officers continuing to gather evidence and reconstruct the circumstances that led to the deadly collision.
The accident scene drew a heavy presence of first responders and investigators, and traffic along Morganton Road was impacted for hours as police worked to process evidence and clear the wreckage. Witness accounts, along with physical evidence from the vehicles and roadway, are expected to play a role in determining the exact sequence of events.
The Fayetteville Police Department is urging anyone with information about the crash to come forward. Officer C. Lewis, who is leading the investigation, can be reached directly at (910) 818-1872. Tips can also be shared anonymously through Fayetteville/Cumberland County Crime Stoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477).
The incident has shaken the community, not only because of its severity but also because it follows so closely on the heels of another fatal wreck within city limits. For many residents, the back-to-back tragedies highlight concerns about road safety and reckless driving.
Arroyo’s death underscores the consequences of high-speed crashes and the dangers posed by drivers who fail to control their vehicles. Police emphasized that the charges filed against Goodyear reflect both the seriousness of the outcome and the violations they believe contributed to the collision.
As the investigation continues, police are expected to review possible additional factors, such as impairment or distracted driving, though no further details have been released on those aspects.
For now, Arroyo’s family and the Fayetteville community are left mourning a sudden and devastating loss caused by what authorities describe as a preventable act of reckless driving.
