Two car accident sends four to hospital.

Posted Tuesday, June 7, 2005

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Moncure - Four people were taken to Central Carolina Hospital with non-life threatening injuries Monday morning after a two-vehicle accident on U.S. 1.

Paul Gouveia, 29, of Sanford, was driving a 1998 Dodge Intrepid in the northbound lane of U.S. 1. just north of the Pittsboro-Moncure exit. when he lost control of his vehicle, crossed into the left lane and struck a guard rail. The accident happened about 8:30 a.m.

While Gouveia was trying to "overcorrect" his vehicle, he crossed back into the right lane and hit a 1999 Chevy Blazer from behind that was driven by Paula Backlund Rodriguez, 31, of Sanford. The rear-end collision caused Rodriguez's vehicle to lose control and overturn four times, before it landed on the driver's side and blocked the right lane of traffic.

Both drivers and the two passengers in Rodriguez's vehicle, which included her three-year-old daughter Marissa and Brenda Besaw, 44, of Sanford, were wearing seatbelts.

Gouveia was charged with aggressive driving, a new misdemeanor offense that combines speed with aggressive and reckless driving. If convicted, Davis said Gouveia faces a stiff fine, community service and five points on his license. He will be arraigned Aug. 4 in Chatham County Court. Also, Gouveia may also be responsible for replacing the section of guard rail that his vehicle collided into.