ANGIER – A tractor trailer driver has been charged with causing a serious three vehicle accident in western Johnston County. The collision was reported at 6:49am Friday on NC Highway 210 at Star Valley Drive, west of McGee’s Crossroads.
The State Highway Patrol said James Smith, 55, of Willow Spring was operating a tractor trailer westbound on Highway 210 and attempting to back onto Star Valley Drive to make a delivery.
As the semi was backing up, it’s trailer was struck by a Ford Ranger pickup traveling eastbound on Highway 210. After the impact, the pickup rolled backwards and onto the shoulder.
Immediately afterwards, a Honda SUV traveling eastbound on Highway 210, avoided the wrecked Ford Ranger, but collided with the semi trailer in the same location. The SUV became lodged under the trailer.
Emergency crews had to remove the roof of the SUV to extricate the two occupants. Both sustained serious injuries. One was transported to the hospital by a Duke Life Flight helicopter that landed at the scene. The second victim was transported by Johnston County EMS. At last report, both victims were in stable condition.
The driver of the Ford Ranger sustained minor injuries. The driver was evaluated at the scene by EMS but declined transport to the hospital.
Smith, the operator of the tractor trailer, was not injured. He was cited by Trooper M. Corral with improper backing.
Highway 210 was closed for a couple of hours until the accident scene could be cleared.
That’s the second major accident this week on 210, albeit in slightly different areas, but these truck drivers and other drivers need to pay attention. I pray everyone heals quickly.
The drivers of the pick-up and car, should have paid attention and being alert to highway conditions, but yet the truck driver is a fault, Duh, This response by Highway Patrol will be kicked out of Court, Truck driver innocent. 4 wheelers with their nose in their cell phones or any other activity, they were NOT paying attention to highway conditions.
I was thinking the same thing. If the truck driver is backing then the other vehicles need to allow him to back. Too many times I have watched vehicles go under a semi that is backing because they cannot wait. The driver is trying to work, let him work and be patient. I hope and pray he is okay and it gets tossed if he was already backing.
Instead of praying for all that was involved, you are throwing the sword at the ones that was injured! But yet you call yourself Rev. Harry C Wigmore III The only part about a Reverend to you is the word you put on your name. Making comments as you did shows you have evil in your heart! You are not a Reverend! And i hope you don’t have a church with people following you!
Really, have you ever driven an 18 wheeler? It is quite apparent you have not. This wreck appears to possibly be an insurance wreck, This day and time people see big rigs from big Companies, they think they have a right to hit the truck so they can get a new vehicle, insurance will pay for it. I looked at all angles of this wreck, my concern is for those who got hurt, but also for what this situation presents. Time of Accident. Did you notice what it was???? 6:49 am, it is partially light and dark on Friday morning Jan. 20th, 2023. If the driver is backing in off the highway in a semi dark/light morning, he had all lights on including his 8 flashing red lights on his rig. If the approaching drivers cannot see this, there is something majorly wrong here. So Tim, your diagnose of the situation is very false and attacking me we accusations will only cause you to regret before Jesus. So my suggestion to you, Go and seek forgiveness and Repent of your sins.
One more thing Tim, Yes I have a very large Global Ministries. And many people who I work with, train, and teach them Godly Principles of Leadership and how to pray correctly. Your public accusations demand a public Apology, Tim, for what you did is very uncalled for.
Emergency responders deserve a big shout out for saving the SUV drivers lives. It’s amazing that they are in stable condition. I drove through this before life flight left annd it was awful. All should be more alert when driving and not be in such a hurry but it was still dark at the time of the accident. Someone passed my bus on Old Fairground Friday morning and almost lost control and hit the student at the stop. Leave earlier and slow down!
I have seen very similar stunts by other 18 wheelers delivering to build sites on back roads. Just because you have 18 wheels does NOT give you the right to block the road. There needs to be common sense involving having 2nd/3rd person to flag oncoming vehicles at reasonable distance. Yes. I see lots of 4 wheel driving misbehavior too. Living near Buffalo rd exit with the steady stream of tanker trucks, I get fed up with 18 wheeler carelessness. If there’s not a break in traffic, you don’t pull out anyway. You wait, take your turn like the rest of us. If you want to effectively close the whole road for few minutes, you better have flagmen with you.
Any road could be blocked by anything at any time. Farm tractors, large animals, wrecked vehicles, anything. If you can’t stop before you hit it, you are either going too fast for conditions or not paying attention. If you do these things, this WILL be you sooner or later.
Legal requirements of construction equipment or delivery trucks to flag traffic do not change the above. Maybe they are liable, but that won’t save you.