Woman Dies Going Wrong Way On I-40

Published 12:00 am Thursday, March 3, 2011

By Jackie Seabolt
Enterprise Record

 An elderly woman died after her vehicle crashed into another last week as she was driving the wrong way on I-40.
Barbara Frates Topa, 76, of US 64 West, Mocksville was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 8 a.m. on Feb. 17.
According to a report by N.C. Highway Patrol Trooper C.D. Hall, Topa was driving her 2003 Ford eastbound in the left westbound travel lane of I-40.  Hall said that Topa had taken the wrong ramp to enter the interstate.
Demetrice Ammons, 39, of Kernersville was driving her 1998 Toyota west on I-40 and collided head-on with Topa’s vehicle.
Melissa Schleeter James, 42, of Winston-Salem was driving a 2007 Lexus behind Ammons and swerved into the right lane to avoid colliding with Ammon’s vehicle.
After colliding with Ammon’s vehicle, Topa’s vehicle entered the right lane and collided with James’ vehicle.
Hall’s report shows that Topa’s vehicle was traveling …