‘Beloved’ pre-K teacher dies in early-morning crash, North Carolina officials say

Charlien Berry was a “beloved” pre-K teacher known for leaving a special mark on a North Carolina community.

But the 41-year-old educator’s life was cut short after a crash early Sunday, Oct. 1. Berry was driving at about 2:30 a.m. when she tried to turn left in front of another vehicle, the Winterville Police Department told The Daily Reflector.

Berry, who worked at the nearby Sadie Saulter Pre-K Center, died in the wreck. The tragic news left the Pitt County school district reeling over the loss of its worker, multiple news outlets reported.

“We offer our prayers, thoughts and condolences to her family and loved ones, and extend our hands out to provide support however we can,” Pitt County Schools wrote in a statement to WITN. “The impact she had on her students, colleagues and many others in our community and schools (was) equaled by few.”

Berry started working at the district’s Northwest Elementary School a decade ago. She was a teaching assistant on that campus before transitioning to her most recent role, WCTI reported.

Police continue to investigate the crash and said it involved another vehicle. News outlets had few other details about the crash, which reportedly happened along N.C. Highway 11 in Winterville, near Greenville and roughly 80 miles southeast of Raleigh.

The Winterville Police Department and Pitt County Schools didn’t immediately share additional information directly with McClatchy News on Oct. 3.

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