Update: Attention All News Editors:
RALEIGH
– Earlier today, troopers with the State Highway Patrol went to the address of 116 Wood Run Drive, Sanford, in an attempt to locate Anthony James Pantano, 29, of Sanford. Troopers were attempting to locate and serve an arrest warrant on Mr. Pantano who was involved in a fatal collision that occurred on Tuesday, July 7.
At approximately 12:45 p.m., two troopers approached the residence and heard what was believed to be a single gunshot. Both troopers backed away and contacted the Harnett County Sheriff’s Department SERT (State Emergency Response Team) unit. At approximately 2:30 p.m., members of the SERT unit made entry into the residence and located one white male in a back bedroom with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The subject was deceased.
Investigators have confirmed that the deceased subject was Anthony James Pantano, 29, of Sanford.
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RALEIGH
- At approximately 10 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, the State Highway Patrol responded to a motor vehicle collision in the golf community of Carolina Lakes located in Harnett County.
On that date, Anthony James Pantano, 29, of 116 Wood Run, Sanford, was driving a 1999 Dodge pickup truck while pulling a ski boat. A passenger, Allison Elizabeth Bennett, 20, of 3 Adams Street, Fort Bragg, was sitting in the front of the ski boat, along with other passengers, when Mr. Pantano’s vehicle traveled onto the left shoulder of the roadway causing the boat trailer to bounce. As result, Ms. Bennett was ejected and fell onto the roadway. She was then struck by the boat trailer. Mr. Pantano stopped momentarily as other passengers checked on the welfare of Ms. Bennett. Mr. Pantano then left the scene in his vehicle.
Ms. Bennett was transported to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center where she later died. Investigators believe that alcohol was a factor in this case.
On Thursday, July 9, the following warrants for arrest were issued:
- Felony Death by a Motor Vehicle
- Felony Hit and Run
- Driving While Impaired
- Careless and Reckless Driving
The State Highway Patrol and Alcohol Law Enforcement agents are working with the United States Army in attempting to locate Mr. Pantano so that the warrants can be served.