Update 9:05pm: The driver killed in the crash has been identified as 46 year-old James Edward Pope of Cedar Lake Drive, Middlesex.
One person was killed and another injured in a head on collision Thursday morning in the Pine Level city limits.
The crash was reported at 8:15am on US 70-A at Oliver Street.
Pine Level Police said the driver of a Chevy pickup truck was traveling eastbound on US 70-A when he crossed the centerline and collided head on with a white GMC Yukon traveling westbound. It appears the driver of the SUV attempted to avoid being struck by traveling off the edge of the pavement but was still hit.
The driver of the pickup died at the scene. The victim’s name was not immediately released pending notification of his next of kin. The female driver of the SUV was transported to the hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation but officials said a medical condition likely contributed to the crash, however the victim’s injuries proved fatal. The cause of death was ruled due to multiple blunt force injuries, according to Johnston County Medical Examiner Jason Thompson.
Pine Level Police were assisted by the NC Highway Patrol in the accident investigation. Johnston County EMS and the Pine Level Fire Department also responded to the crash which shut down US 70-A for more than an hour.
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