Zoey Barr Obituary, Death Cause – An 18-year-old girl lost her life after a car crash in Harnett County, North Carolina, where her vehicle ended up submerged in a pond. The incident, which happened early Wednesday morning, involved a single car and went unreported for nearly 16 hours.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP), the crash took place near the intersection of Norrington Road and Avery Road, just west of Lillington. Investigators say the collision occurred around 2:45 a.m. on Tuesday, but authorities were not alerted to the accident until late in the day, leaving a significant gap between the time of the crash and its discovery.
The driver was identified as Zoey Barr, an 18-year-old from the area. Troopers say she had been driving along a rural stretch of road when she veered off the pavement, drove through a cornfield, and then hit an embankment. The impact caused her vehicle to flip over and land in a nearby pond, where it remained undetected for hours.
State troopers believe that excessive speed played a major role in the crash. Preliminary findings from the investigation revealed that Barr had been traveling at an estimated 80 miles per hour before losing control of the vehicle. The posted speed limit in that area has not been specified, but authorities say the speed she was traveling was unsafe for the road conditions.
No other vehicles were involved in the incident, and Barr was alone in the car at the time of the crash. It’s not clear whether she was wearing a seatbelt, or if other factors—such as distraction or fatigue—contributed to the accident.
The long delay in discovering the wreck has raised questions about how quickly help can reach victims in rural areas. Since the vehicle went off the road in an isolated area and landed in water, it may not have been visible to other drivers or passersby. It remains unclear how the crash was eventually discovered and reported.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the incident to determine the full sequence of events and whether any other circumstances contributed to the tragedy. The pond where the vehicle was found has since been secured, and the car was recovered as part of the investigation.
The death of Zoey Barr has shocked the local community, with friends, family, and classmates mourning her sudden and tragic loss. No further details about memorial arrangements have been released at this time.
State troopers are using this case to remind all drivers—especially young and inexperienced ones—about the dangers of speeding and the importance of maintaining safe driving practices, particularly on rural roads and during late-night hours.