The Highway Patrol is investigating a serious single vehicle accident that occurred Tuesday morning in eastern Johnston County.
A Mercedes ran off Bizzell Grove Church Road, near the intersection of Rains Crossroads Road, struck a bridge abutment then careened down an embankment, before coming to rest partially in a creek.
The Princeton Fire Department had to extricate the driver from the vehicle before he was taken to Johnston Medical Center. The driver was later transferred to Wake Medical Center due to the seriousness of his injuries.
The NC Department of Transportation responded to the scene to inspect damage to the bridge, estimated at $20,000. The bridge remained open to traffic but a new railing will need to be installed, officials said.
The NC Highway Patrol said the driver, whose name was not released, was charged with driving left of center and having fictitious tags. Troopers said the back tires on the vehicle were slick and the vehicle may have been traveling too fast for existing conditions during a rainstorm at the time of the crash.
Photos courtesy Princeton Fire Department
