Jones sentenced to prison term for death by vehicle

A Newton woman has been sentenced in an impaired driving case from 2022 in which her vehicle struck another car, resulting in a man’s death.

In Alexander County Superior Court during the August 12 term, Cierra Lashay Jones pleaded guilty to Felony Death by Vehicle, Driving While Impaired, and four counts of Felony Serious Injury and was sentenced by Judge Clifton Smith to 64-89 months, plus 16-29 months in prison.

On Sunday, May 22, 2022, at approximately 7:55 p.m., the NC State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision in Alexander County on NC 127 near Rink Dam Road, said Master Trooper Jeffrey S. Swagger, NCSHP Traffic Safety Information officer.

A 2012 Toyota Scion was traveling north on NC 127, crossed the centerline, and collided head-on with a southbound 2008 Toyota Prius.

The driver of the Scion, Cierra Leshay Jones, then age 27, of Newton, received non-life-threatening injuries and was transported by EMS to Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory.

The driver of the Prius, James Wallace “Jim” Thompson, 66, of Wilkesboro, received critical injuries and was transported by EMS to Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory where he succumbed to his injuries. A 63-year-old female and three child passengers were injured and transported by EMS to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

All occupants were restrained by seatbelts. The initial investigation indicates a contributing circumstance of alcohol impairment on the part of the driver of the Scion. Jones was charged with driving while impaired, reckless driving, driving left of center, and transporting an open container.

According to multiple media outlets, Thompson was former Mountain Times managing editor and Jefferson Post editor. He was the managing editor of the Mountain Times from 1986 to 2001 and then became editor of the Jefferson Post, now the Ashe Post and Times, from 2001 to 2008, the Watauga Democrat stated.