‘Such a sweet soul,’ College Drive wreck kills man

‘Such a sweet soul,’ College Drive wreck kills man

[Photo: Herman Cummings Sr., photo from his obituary.] Police suspect impaired driving may be to blame for a car accident Saturday night in Raeford that killed a 75-year-old man and injured two other people.

Herman Cummings Sr., 75, of Raeford died in the two-vehicle crash, according to the Raeford Police Department. A passenger in the car, and the driver of the other vehicle were both injured.

The accident happened around 8:24 p.m. Saturday, April 24 on the 500 block of College Drive. Cummings was driving a red Oldsmobile Bravada. Daeshaun Dickel McGhee, 23, of the 2900 block of Cramer Drive in Fayetteville, was driving a yellow Dodge Challenger, coming in the opposite direction. McGhee reportedly crossed into the left lane and struck Cummings’ vehicle head-on.

Officers arrived at the scene to find the two heavily damaged vehicles in the roadway. Emergency medical services pronounced Cummings dead at the scene, and transported Carol Cummings and McGhee to hospitals for treatment.


“The driver of the yellow Dodge Challenger, Mr. Daeshaun Dickel McGhee is suspected of driving while impaired,” Raeford police said in a press release.

The results of a blood test were still pending Monday. Law enforcement said they expect to file charges against McGhee pending the results of the blood test.

Cummings is survived by his wife of 52 years, Carolyn Cummings; and five sons and two daughters; and three brothers, two sisters and eleven grandchildren; plus many more relatives and friends.

Friends and loved ones posted on social media about Cummings and what he meant to the community. His home was always open to people in need, one person described.

“He had such a kind and humble soul,” wrote Sherry Futrell Cummings. “Such a sweet soul,” echoed Cicley Burke.

“There was a many of young men who came to this mans home in the middle of the night. Many times with more troubles than help, regardless of substance abuse issues, running from trouble, or just needing a place dry and warm to sleep!! Herman Cummings Home was always open to anybody and nobody was misfit when you were there,” Brandon Locklear wrote in a Facebook post.

“You taught me about being a father and even more important about setting an example of what being an epicenter of a family structure truly means. Words cannot describe the loss and absences left behind.”

Cummings’ nephew, Patrick Cummings, said that the late man was a father to him and many other boys.

“U never turned anyone away from your house or dinner table,” Cummings wrote.

Billy Locklear described Cummings as “the shoulder of many that came to lean on,” and “a blessing to my life as his community.”

“He will be surely miss, but heaven is sweeter with him there,” Locklear wrote.

Nick Norton recalled seeing Cummings at his place of work, and that the man always had a smile for others.

“He was always happy no matter what and loved to talk fishing!” Norton wrote.

Visitation will be Thursday, April 29 from 7-9 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home, 812 South Main Street in Red Springs. A funeral will be held Friday, April 30 at 2 p.m. at the funeral home.

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