Prior to Memorial Day of last year, Peggy-Jean Dodson-Harris, RN, never expected to be a die-hard WNC Nurses Against Drunk Driving advocate. In fact, the advocacy and awareness group did not even exist yet.
Her sister, Susan “Susie” Campbell, 29, was riding in a Mazda CX-5 with husband Tyler Campbell, 28, and their eight-year-old son, Miles Campbell, when a Chevy Trailblazer driven by Jordan Alexander Porter, 25, barreled through a stoplight and T-boned their SUV at 82 mph on U.S. 70 at New Rand Road in Garner.
Tyler Campbell died on impact. Susan Campbell bled out during surgery. Miles Campbell was pronounced braindead at WakeMed the next day. The boy died a hero by donating eight of his organs.
“The driver appeared to be high on pot and had been drinking alcohol,” said Dodson-Harris. “He had an open container and drug paraphernalia in the car.”
NADD was formed by four nurses who worked alongside Susan Campbell just four weeks after she was killed.
“When I found out they created this foundation, I told them I would love to help in any way I could,” said Dodson-Harris.
Today, she advocates for tougher prosecution and substance abuse laws.
Dodson-Harris spoke to deputies from Swain County Sheriff’s Office and troopers from North Carolina State Highway Patrol at Granny’s Kitchen in Cherokee Saturday evening. They were joined by Dodson-Harris and Susan Campbell’s parents, Keith and Debbie Dodson of Whittier, Ellen Pitt, Western North Carolina Regional DWI Task Force president and Rep. Mike Clampitt.
Pitt thanked Clampitt for his support of N.C. HB 108, The Sober Operator Act of 2025.
“The Sober Operator Act of 2025 addressed five different parts I had introduced in the last session: portable breath testing, and lowering the BAC from .08 to .05,” said Clampitt.
“Also, district court records and assisting people who lost their licenses to go through sobriety courts and driving training to have limited licenses restored. My collogues have intentionally ignored parts of that bill.”
Pitt made Dodson-Harris a member of the task force in January, joining the fight to save lives.
“According to the N.C. DOT, at least 377 people died in North Carolina in alcohol-related wrecks in 2023,” Pitt said. “Alcohol.org gives that number as 413 and other sources state 411. At any rate, that is the fatality equivalent of four Hurricane Helenes from something that we can do something about.”
Following the Memorial Day accident last year, Jordan Alexander Porter was arrested and charged with three counts of second-degree murder and three counts of felony death by motor vehicle, along with maintaining a vehicle for controlled substances (felony), reckless driving to endanger, speeding 82/45 mph, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, failure to stop for a steady red light, expired registration card/tag, expired inspection and transporting an open container of alcohol after consuming.
Tyler Campbell was born March 10, 1996, in Rutherford County. He was a 2014 East Rutherford High School graduate growing up, member of Cross Country and Eagle Scout. He graduated from N.C. State University in 2018 with a degree in Sports Management. Tyler Campbell worked as a technology liaison for Levitate, a software company. He ran in many 5-K races, including the London Marathon and recently signed up to run the Chicago Marathon.
Susan Campbell was known by family and friends as Susie. She was born in China March 19, 1995 and was raised in Rutherford County. She was also a 2012 graduate of East Rutherford High School. Susan Campbell attended North Greenville College and Isothermal Community College until she transferred to N.C. State University where she graduated in 2017 with a degree in nutrition. She continued her education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she graduated in 2021 with a degree in Nursing. She was working at Wake Med-Cary as a nurse and clinical evaluator.
Miles Campbell was born in Raleigh Oct. 5, 2015. He recently completed second grade at Avesboro Elementary School. He had just earned his orange belt in karate. Miles Campbell was a member of Cub Scout Pack #391 in Garner, where his dad was assistant den leader. Miles Campbell enjoyed playing baseball for the Trash Pandas of the Garner Sports League, having received two sportsmanship awards. He and his mother would make care packages and distribute them to homeless communities. Miles Campbell donated his organs, eyes included, to save lives.