26-Year-Old Killed In US 70 Crash Involving NCDOT Truck
PINE LEVEL, N.C. — A 26-year-old man was killed Thursday morning in a three-vehicle collision on US 70 near Pine Level, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
The crash occurred at approximately 8:14 a.m. near Exit 337.
According to a preliminary investigation, a North Carolina Department of Transportation truck had stopped in the westbound lanes of US 70 with its emergency equipment activated while workers removed a deer carcass.
Traffic behind the NCDOT truck was slowing when a beige 2013 Nissan Versa was struck from behind by a blue 2026 Toyota RAV4. The impact pushed the Nissan into the rear of the NCDOT vehicle.
The driver of the Nissan, 26-year-old Lucas Charles Warner, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The drivers of the Toyota RAV4 and the NCDOT truck suffered minor injuries and were transported to UNC Health Johnston for treatment.
Following consultation with the Johnston County District Attorney’s Office, the driver of the Toyota RAV4 was charged with failure to reduce speed and misdemeanor death by vehicle.
Authorities have not released the name of the charged driver.
Westbound US 70 was closed for several hours while troopers investigated the collision and crews cleared the scene. The roadway has since reopened.
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Editor’s Note: This story was updated on June 11, 2026 following the release of additional information from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, including the identity of the deceased and charges filed in connection with the crash.
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Another death caused by inattention.
Reckless death be vehicle.
Rear bumper on that truck would have helped.
A bumper wouldn’t have helped in this situation. Even though the deceased driver did everything right. All drivers need to pay attention and slow down.
crash pads are made for crashes? ncdots and the rav4 fault
Please tell me how it was NCDOT’s fault? Had he not been doing his job, it would have been a deer carcus that would have caused the accident and if the truck wasn’t there it would have been another NCDOT worker killed doing their job. Everyone is quick to blame at man who was risking his life to clear debris from the road for the safety of the traveling public because they are an easy target. What could this worker have done differently? Is his life not as valuable as anyone else’s? I guess you would say he knows the risk.
The person driving the vehicle that shoved the young man under the truck was to blame. No matter if the driver was distracted by a phone, changing radio stations, or applying makeup, that brief distraction caused a young man to lose his life, parents to lose their son, a fiancée to lose her future husband and friend.
People are in such a hurry to get somewhere to be going no where that’s worth losing/taking someone’s life. I don’t think it was an intentional act, but it was tragic for all involved and there’s no way to turn back time and undo it.
You’re ABSOLUTELY RIGHT
Sincere condolences to the family, friends and others who knew this young man. May he rest in eternal peace with the Lord Jesus Christ. 🙏 Forever 26.
This was a tragic accident. I’m sure the person who caused this didn’t start out their morning with the intentions of something like this happening. Unfortunately we are all subject to make a mistake, bad decision, etc. no matter how careful we drive when we are on the roadways because we are all fallible humans. It still doesn’t hurt to pay attention, stay alert, and drive defensively.
Are you KIDDING ME??!!! This a** should be locked up FOREVER! There’s absolutely NO EXCUSE for a driver to hit another car at that rate of speed without even an attempt to slow down, completely mangle a car like that, and MURDER an INNOCENT 26 year old young man who was doing EXACTLY THE RIGHT THING DRIVING! His wife was behind him in her car. THEY WERE ON THEIR WAY TO MOVE INTO THEIR NEW HOUSE!!! Her life, his parents’ lives, and the lives of his friends are impacted FOREVER! How dare you make excuses for this driver who hit him!!! Our son was his close friend and had to attend his funeral yesterday! This murdered boy was turning 27 years old the DAY AFTER this tragedy! HOW DARE YOU MAKE EXCUSES FOR THE MURDERER!! We hope the GUILTY driver of the car that hit him rots in hell forever! 😡
no it wouldn’t of
A rear bumper would have definitely helped. The impact bar and energy absorber foam did not do its job since the truck is too high. The impact went straight through the glass and driver.
Rest in peace luke 💙
Of course it was a Rav4
RIP Luke
RIP Luke.
RIP Luke
So sad…folks be careful out there…so much bad driving. Death is a second a way…know Jesus.
People pay attention! Prayers to the family.
so very sad, prayers for his family and all of his friends. Such an awful tragedy.
where is the picture of the lights on the back of the truck?
Dang! I went to church growing up with Luke and his family. This absolutely sucks! RIP!
How many vehicles are riding around with their lights flashing but just driving in routine traffic?
Why are the lights on?
A particular municipality pickup truck has his lights on from 8am to 5pm. I see him multiple times a day.
Accidents don’t just happen , they are caused ! We pray for all involved!
BTW , this truck has a lift gate ! Hard to have both lift gate and bumper.
All deaths by motor vehicles, while speeding and being distracted should be an automatic felony, Loss of license and pay restitution for funeral/ medical expenses. People out there driving like maniacs and not even looking at the road! Neglect on full display!