Fiery Head-On Crash Kills Driver In Sampson County

SAMPSON COUNTY – A 20-year-old woman was killed Sunday morning in a fiery head-on collision with a tractor-trailer carrying methane on US 421.

The crash was reported at 7:37 a.m. Nov. 1 near River Road, according to the N.C. State Highway Patrol.

Troopers said Breezy A. Hernandez, 20, of Harrells, was driving a 1999 Toyota pickup northbound on US 421 when the vehicle crossed left of center.

The pickup collided head-on with a southbound 2019 Freightliner tractor-trailer driven by Lawa A. Dowdell, 30, of Leland.

Following the collision, both vehicles left the roadway, caught fire and burned.

The tractor-trailer was carrying methane gas. Authorities said the methane remained contained and did not burn.

The State Hazardous Materials Response Team was called to the scene.

Hernandez died as a result of the collision.

Dowdell was transported to Sampson Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

Highway Patrol said both drivers were wearing seat belts. Speed is not believed to have been a factor.

The investigation is continuing.