A 33 year-old woman was killed and her boyfriend seriously injured in a fatal crash in southern Johnston County overnight.
Authorities believe the accident happened around midnight but wasn’t reported until 5:30am Friday, when the badly injured victim, trapped inside the wreckage, was able to locate his cell phone and dial 911.
It happened near the rural intersection of Meadowbrook Road and West Johnson Road in the Meadow community.
A white 2005 Saturn Relay van was traveling northeast on Meadowbrook Road when it crossed the centerline in a sharp curve, ran off the roadway to the left and traveled into a private yard where it struck a large oak tree and spun around coming to rest.
A female passenger, 33 year-old Shena Stone, of Wilson died at the scene. Her boyfriend, Darnell Reynolds, 32, of Wilson, was the driver. He was cut from the wreckage and taken to Wake Medical Center.
No one inside the home heard the crash. A neighbor thought they heard what appeared to be thunder around midnight but because it was raining didn’t think twice about the noise. 
Authorities believe that is likely when the fatal crash occurred.
Troopers said it appears the couple was homeless and living out of the van. The crash scattered their clothes and personal belongings packed into the van onto the front yard where the wreck occurred.
Friday afternoon, the NC Highway Patrol announced that charges are pending. Troopers said speed does not appear to be a factor but alcohol may have played a role. Photos courtesy John Payne
