NCCU Student Finds Car in Ditch After Rollover Crash Linked to Massive Person County Party

TIMBERLAKE, NORTH CAROLINA — What was supposed to be a homecoming celebration turned chaotic for one North Carolina Central University (NCCU) student after his car was found totaled in a ditch following a rollover crash connected to a massive party in Person County.

Jayden Moody, a junior at NCCU, said he attended the now-infamous “Oil Spill” event Wednesday night on Berry Pearce Road, where an estimated 5,000 people gathered — many of them students from multiple colleges.

‘Oil Spill’ Party Draws Thousands, Overwhelms Deputies

Residents on the Person–Orange County border described the event as the largest they had ever seen. “We’ve dealt with similar situations, but nothing to that level,” said Jake May, who lives near the property. “That was by far the most we’ve dealt with, the most people we’ve seen at one of these parties in six years.”

The event, which was not officially affiliated with NCCU, quickly grew beyond capacity. Moody said he had purchased a ticket but never made it inside due to overcrowding. When he returned to his vehicle, it was gone.

“Then I came back, made some calls today, now my car is in a ditch,” Moody told CBS 17. “Oil Spill, man, homecoming, things like this happen. God bless I wasn’t in it.”

Rollover Crash Injures Four People

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, a 21-year-old woman driving from the party struck Moody’s parked car while carrying eight passengers. Her SUV overturned after impact, injuring four people. One passenger was ejected from the vehicle, but all are expected to recover.

Investigators said the parked car was legally on the shoulder of the road at the time of the crash.

Deputies Describe ‘Nightmare’ Traffic Conditions

Person County Sheriff Jason Wilborn said his department was overwhelmed as cars began flooding the rural roads late Wednesday night. “It was a nightmare,” he admitted. “We had cars on private property, people walking down dark roads, and homeowners unable to reach their driveways.”

Residents called 911 to report vehicles parked in yards and blocking access to homes. “It’s been insane,” May added. “People were throwing trash, parking anywhere they could, and walking in the middle of the road. I blame the adults who put these young people in this situation.”

Organizers Say They Didn’t Expect the Crowd

While the party was legal, it was not sanctioned by any university. Organizers said they had no idea so many people would attend and spent Thursday cleaning up the property in an effort to make amends with neighbors.

Sheriff Wilborn said organizers are compensating a landowner for crop damage and encouraged anyone planning future events to coordinate with law enforcement beforehand. “If they’d reached out, we could have prepared better,” he said.

Wilborn confirmed that Duke University students have held parties at the same location in past years. He had tried to determine whether the county could restrict the event but said there were no legal grounds to do so.

Student Offers Apology to Neighbors

Moody, now without a car, says he understands residents’ frustrations but insists students didn’t intend to cause harm. “We’re not really out here to disturb anybody or terrorize anybody,” he said. “We just like to have fun. I understand they got a lot of people coming on their properties doing this and that. I really do apologize for that.”

Authorities say multiple vehicles were towed following the incident and that future large-scale events may require coordination with both Person County and Orange County officials to avoid another safety crisis.

Have you experienced traffic or safety issues during large student gatherings in your area? Share your thoughts with us at SaludaStandard-Sentinel.com.