Three Killed, One Seriously Hurt In Interstate 40 Crash

NEWTON GROVE, N.C. – Three people were killed and another seriously injured in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 40 in Sampson County early Saturday morning, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

The collision occurred around 2:41 a.m. near the 344-mile marker in the eastbound lanes of I-40.

Preliminary investigation indicates a red Chevrolet Camaro was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes when it collided head-on with a black Honda Accord.

Troopers said the occupants of the Camaro died at the scene. The driver was identified as 21-year-old Jonathan Toxtle Zacarias of Fayetteville. The front-seat passenger was identified as 20-year-old Gabriel Toxtle Zacarias, also of Fayetteville.

The driver of the Honda Accord was airlifted to ECU Health Medical Center with serious injuries.

A 14-year-old female passenger riding in the front-right seat of the Accord was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities have not released her identity.

Interstate 40 eastbound was shut down for several hours while troopers investigated the crash and crews cleared the scene. The roadway reopened around 7:30 a.m.

The collision remains under investigation.
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This story has been updated