People Caught Trying To Steal Property From Accident Scene

MICRO – As snow and freezing rain began falling Wednesday afternoon, a tractor trailer overturned on Interstate 95 near Micro.

The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office said several individuals tried to steal lumber that had been pushed to the side of the road after an accident scene had cleared on I-95 near Micro on February 19, 2025. A private contractor did not immediately remove the lumber from the shoulder of the interstate due to slick roads and safety concerns from a winter storm. The lumber was removed by the contractor after the storm ended. Photo by John Payne

The semi, hauling high quality lumber from Massachusetts to Florida, spilled it cargo across both southbound lanes.

NCDOT crews responded with heavy equipment to push the lumber onto the shoulder until the winter weather passed and it was safe for a private contractor to remove it.

Wednesday night, a short time after the wrecked semi was towed away and I-95 reopened, several people stopped beside the icy interstate to load the lumber into their vehicles.

Johnston County deputies responded and located the individuals attempting to remove the lumber. They were prohibited from leaving with the items. The sheriff’s office later announced the individuals would not face any criminal charges.

After the snow storm passed, the lumber was removed by the private contractor.

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