State Troopers Investigating Fatal Head-On Crash In Sampson County

CLINTON, N.C. – A Clinton woman was killed Tuesday morning after a pickup truck attempting to pass another vehicle collided head-on with an oncoming truck, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

The crash occurred at approximately 5:30 a.m. on N.C. 403 near Auctioneer Road, south of Clinton.

Troopers said a 2012 Nissan pickup was traveling north on N.C. 403 when the driver attempted to pass another northbound vehicle. During the passing maneuver, the Nissan entered the southbound lane and struck a 2018 Chevrolet pickup head-on.

Following the collision, the Nissan traveled off the roadway onto the left shoulder, struck a ditch and overturned. The driver was ejected from the vehicle.

Authorities said the driver of the Nissan, identified as Thelma Matute-Calix, 51, of Clinton, died while being transported to the hospital.

The driver of the Chevrolet, Alyssa Santos, 26, of Faison, was taken to Sampson Regional Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Highway Patrol said Matute-Calix was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

Troopers are continuing to investigate the collision.