Four Oaks Man Killed In I-40 Rollover Crash Near Benson

BENSON, N.C. – A Johnston County man was killed Friday afternoon following a crash near Benson, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

Troopers responded around 4:13 p.m. to the collision on eastbound Interstate 40 near the 328 mile marker.

Investigators said a Ford Ranger driven by a 17-year-old male juvenile was traveling eastbound in the center lane when the driver attempted to merge into the right lane and struck a Ford SUV traveling in the right lane beside it.

The SUV was driven by Citlali Ahumada Pavon, 25, of Benson.

According to the Highway Patrol, the impact caused the Ford Ranger to lose control, overturn, and come to rest off the roadway.

A passenger in the pickup truck, identified as Jarin Brent Cull, 56, of Four Oaks, died in the crash.

The teen driver of the Ford pickup was transported to WakeMed for treatment of injuries.

First Sgt. Michael Goldsmith said troopers have consulted with the Johnston County District Attorney’s Office and plan to charge the juvenile driver with failure to maintain lane control and misdemeanor death by vehicle.

Authorities also said a search warrant for a blood sample was being obtained from the driver as part of the ongoing investigation.