Passenger Killed In Johnston County Collision

PRINCETON – A passenger was killed in a single vehicle accident Thursday morning in eastern Johnston County. The collision was reported at 7:20am on Rains Mill Road just outside the Princeton city limits.

The State Highway Patrol (SHP) said a 1999 Chevrolet Camaro was traveling northbound on Rains Mill Road when the driver, Christopher Lee Capps, 38, of Princeton, told troopers a tire blew out causing him to lose control.  The Camaro crossed the centerline, then ran off the roadway to the right, striking a ditch. 

A passenger, Patrick Duffy, 38, of Princeton, was not wearing a seat belt. Duffy was ejected as the car struck the ditchbank.  He died at the scene.    

Troopers said Capps was wearing a seat belt and was not injured.  Impairment is not suspected. 

The SHP’s Accident Reconstruction Team will be assisting with the investigation to determine if speed was a factor.   

No charges have been filed at this time.

Thursday’s crash was the first fatal traffic accident in Johnston County in 2022.