Summer nights in eastern North Carolina usually bring a quiet calm, but July 29 turned into a nightmare for the town of New Bern. Around 8:53 p.m., a routine ride down the highway ended in an instant heartbreak that no one saw coming.
Michael Shawn Hoveland was 58 years old, a man known across Craven County for his warm heart, steady strength, and easygoing spirit. He was the kind of guy who made friends wherever he went, leaving a real impression on neighbors and old pals alike.
That Wednesday evening, Michael was doing what he loved most. He was out on his Harley-Davidson motorcycle, cruising eastbound along Old Cherry Point Road under the fading evening sky.
Everything changed at the intersection of Airport Road. A Kia sedan pulled into the turn lane, setting off a chain of events that would shatter a family in a split second.
According to state troopers, 23-year-old Mariana Graybeal Libengood was behind the wheel of the sedan. She tried to make a left turn onto Airport Road but failed to yield the right of way to Michael’s oncoming bike.
The impact was severe, throwing Michael directly from his Harley into the roadway. Emergency crews rushed to the intersection as fast as they could, but there was nothing they could do to save him. Michael was pronounced dead right at the scene.
Word of the crash spread quickly through New Bern, leaving local folks in shock and grieving the sudden loss of a good man. Friends have spent the days since sharing stories, remembering his generosity, and holding his family close in their thoughts.
While law enforcement works through the legal side of things, those who loved Michael are focusing on the mark he left behind. His steady presence and kindness will stay in the hearts of everyone who knew him for years to come.
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