SELMA – One person died in a fiery accident involving a fuel delivery truck and passenger car. The crash happened around 5:00pm today (Tuesday) on NC Highway 39 about 6 miles north of Selma.
A witness, Steven Stanley, said he get behind the passenger car traveling southbound on NC 39 a couple of miles before the crash. He immediately noticed the vehicle was continuously weaving across the center line.
Mr. Stanley said the passenger car suddenly veered across the center line, completely into the northbound travel lane, and into the path of a northbound Campbell Oil Company fuel delivery truck. He said the truck driver traveled as far off the pavement as possible to avoid the collision but was still struck head on .
Upon impact the fuel truck burst into flames as the driver leaped from the mangled cab, the eyewitness said. The truck driver escaped with only minor injuries and was treated and released at the scene.
The passenger car came to rest on the southbound shoulder with the driver pinned inside.
Jim Finneran lives about 100 yards from the accident scene. Mr. Finneran said he was inside his house and heard a very loud pop. He looked outside and saw the crash and ran to help.
Finneran and Stanley attempted to provide medical care to the driver of the passenger car but the victim was deceased.
Several fire departments responded to the scene, including a foam truck. The blaze was contained in approximately 40 minutes.
The delivery truck was hauling diesel fuel and other products. Approximately 800 to 1000 gallons reportedly spilled into a nearby ditch.
Johnston County Emergency Management, NC Department of Transportation, and a hazardous materials cleanup crew responded to the scene.
The State Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the fatal collision. The name of the deceased driver has not been released.
Thank God the driver of the fuel delivery truck was not injured but it’s sad about the other driver. Only God knows what the driver was doing to keep swerving over the line and only God knows if he was on something, and I hope that was not the case. No matter, this is sad.
Prayers for all that where involved! It’s a sad situation. Thank god the trucker driver was ok.
I saw two State Policemen racing to the scene on 301!
Very sad be ye also ready