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FLESH-EATING DISEASE


Settlement reached in man's death

The Associated Press


WILMINGTON, N.C. - The case of a Brunswick County man who died after contracting a rare flesh-eating disease at the scene of a car wreck has been settled for $2.3 million.

The settlement in the civil lawsuit involving Ronald E. Dyson of Leland was formalized last week in New Hanover County Superior Court.

Dyson, 56, pulled over to offer assistance early on the morning of Sept. 14, 2001, after a car ran into a utility pole near Hoggard High School, causing metal cable wires used to support school crossing signs to fall.

As Dyson used a flashlight to warn traffic of the wreck, a tractor-trailer drove into the low-hanging cables. Dyson's body was lashed and he was tossed in the air, according to court papers.

The cables were coated with bird droppings that brought on a flesh-eating infection that eventually killed Dyson, plaintiff attorney Thomas Goolsby said. Dyson had the condition known as necrotizing fasciitis for two years before he died Sept. 4, 2003.

"It was awful to continue to see this guy get ground down," Goolsby said. "It was incredible how much he suffered."

The civil lawsuit claimed negligent and reckless conduct on the part of the two defendants: tractor-trailer driver Kevin Royster and his employer, Sea Lane Express Inc.

The settlement was tentatively reached in September but was not formalized until Goolsby dismissed the lawsuit last week.

Dyson's wife, Peggie Dyson, said Thursday that she was glad a settlement was reached through mediation.

"I just wanted enough to pay the hospital bills and doctors. I was not trying to make a lot of money," she said.

Goolsby said the flesh-eating bacteria entered Dyson's body through his wounds. He underwent a series of surgeries to remove the infected tissue, but bacteria continued to spread.

"He had suffered so much," Peggie Dyson said. "He is at peace now."

The lawsuit said the truck driven by Royster was going too fast and that the driver should have seen the low-lying signs. No tickets were issued to the driver of the car that struck the pole or to Royster.

Goolsby said $2.3 million is not excessive, considering the facts. "It is a pretty high amount, and its a reflection of the incredible amount of pain and suffering he went through," he said.