UPDATE: A major incident following a massive party in Person County has left a North Carolina Central University (NCCU) student without a car. Jayden Moody reported that his vehicle was found in a ditch after a rollover crash involving a driver returning from the chaotic event.
The party, dubbed “Oil Spill,” took place on Wednesday, October 18, 2023, and attracted an estimated 5,000 attendees, primarily NCCU students, overwhelming local roads and neighborhoods. Neighbors described the event as a “nightmare,” with reports of erratic driving and trash littering the area.
Moody, a junior at NCCU, attempted to attend the gathering but was unable to enter due to maximum capacity. Upon leaving, he discovered his car was missing. “Then I came back, made some calls today, now my car is in a ditch,” Moody said. “God bless I wasn’t in it.”
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, a 21-year-old woman driving eight passengers from the party struck Moody’s parked car, leading to a rollover crash. Four individuals in her vehicle sustained injuries, with one person ejected, but all are expected to recover.
Local resident Jake May expressed frustration at the lack of control at the event. “We’ve dealt with similar situations, but nothing to that level,” he stated. “That was by far the most we’ve seen at one of these parties so far in the six years we’ve been here.”
Person County Sheriff Jason Wilborn described the chaos as overwhelming, stating that the sheer volume of attendees created significant issues on local roads. “We’ve had 911 calls regarding vehicles on private property and people walking down the road,” he said. “Homeowners couldn’t get into their homes and vehicles were towed.”
The party, while not officially sanctioned by any university, was organized without proper planning for crowd control. Organizers cleaned up trash throughout Thursday and acknowledged they did not anticipate such a large turnout. Wilborn indicated that event hosts should notify authorities in advance to facilitate better management of large gatherings.
Moody reflected on his experience, saying, “I could’ve been in the car. If I didn’t drive, I wouldn’t even be going through any of this.” His situation underscores the potential dangers of unregulated events, where safety and responsibility can be compromised.
As the community grapples with the aftermath, Sheriff Wilborn emphasized the need for better communication with event organizers to prevent future incidents. Authorities confirmed that while the party was legal, safety measures were insufficient to handle the unexpected influx of attendees.
Expect further updates as investigations continue and community discussions arise regarding safety and event planning in Person County.
