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Debra Sue Oehmke, 56, killed in head-on accident with sleeping driver on Steele Creek Road in Charlotte, North Carolina

Modified Date: 
Fri, 05/29/2015 - 4:51pm
Accident Date: 
Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Man arrested after falling asleep at the wheel, killing other driver in head-on crash

Police have arrested a man who they say fell asleep behind the wheel and hit another car head-on, killing the driver. Trungquan Le Tran, 23, is charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.
Police have arrested a man who they say fell asleep behind the wheel and hit another car head-on, killing the driver. Trungquan Le Tran, 23, is charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. The crash was reported at 9:03 a.m. on the 10500 block of Steele Creek Road near Collingham Drive, according to Charlotte police. Police say Tran fell asleep as he was driving his 2009 Honda Accord southbound. He crossed the double yellow line and struck a 2013 Volkswagen Passat head on. Medics transported the driver of the Passat, 56-year-old Debra Sue Oehmke, with life threatening injuries to Carolinas Medical Center where she was pronounced dead a short time later. Police say speeding and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the crash.
Type: Car Accident
Topics: 
Head-on, Asleep at Wheel/Driver Fatigue
People Involved: 
Trungquan Le Tran
Debra Sue Oehmke
Roadway: 
Steele Creek Road
City: 
Charlotte, NC
County: 
Mecklenburg County, NC
Area: 
Charlotte, NC

Comments

Submitted by PDieng on Thu, 05/15/2014 - 2:24pm
Debi and I worked together and she was the one of the sweetest persons I've had the pleasure of working with. No matter what you asked of her she was always willing to assist. It truly sadden me to learn of her demise. She will truly be missed by me and other TWC employees in our corporate offices in NYC. R.I.P. Ms. Debi xo

Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 05/15/2014 - 7:14am
Debbie you will be truly missed. I never had the pleasure of meeting you in person but working with you was a pleasure. RIP my love!!!!!

Submitted by Dawn Carden on Fri, 05/09/2014 - 8:52pm
This is my Aunt's sister. She instantly became someone I called Aunt. She was one of the best people to grace this earth. We are missing you with all of our hearts. Hurt is beyond words and measure. We love you!!!!!

Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 05/09/2014 - 7:40pm
My brother and sister-in-law were killed EXACTLY the same way in 1995-- a nineteen year-old man fell asleep at the wheel on a two-lane road in the county; crossed the yellow line; and hit my brother's car head-on. Just like with Debra Sue Oehmke, emergency personnel had to use the "Jaws of Life" to cut the car apart to get my brother and his wife out of the mangled up mess. My sister-in-law was killed instantly. My brother was pronounced dead at the hospital. You CAN fall asleep while you're driving a motor vehicle and you CAN kill somebody's brother, father, son, mother, sister, and daughter.

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