Investigators say a Hyundai Santa Cruz and a Dodge Caravan were partially stopped in the left lane due to an earlier crash when tragedy struck.
TROUTMAN, N.C. — A crash on Interstate 77 North left one person dead and three others injured, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
The deadly crash happened around 10:20 p.m. near mile marker 43 in Iredell County. Investigators say a Hyundai Santa Cruz and a Dodge Caravan were partially stopped in the left lane due to an earlier crash when tragedy struck.
A northbound Toyota Corolla failed to slow down adequately and slammed into the stopped Dodge Caravan, causing a chain reaction that sent the Caravan into the Hyundai, officials said.
The car also hit the drivers of both vehicles, who were standing beside the Dodge at the time of the crash.
Shane Charles McCurdy, 18, of Kenly, died at the scene. McCurdy was a passenger in the Toyota Corolla.
The Corolla’s driver, Emma Leigh Garwood, 22, of Taylorsville, was taken to a local hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Garwood has been charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle and failure to reduce speed.
The man who was driving the Dodge Caravan, was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. The driver of the Hyundai Santa Cruz, was also hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
The State Highway Patrol’s preliminary investigation indicates that impairment was not a factor in the crash. The crash closed that section of I-77 North for about two hours while investigators worked the scene.
The investigation into the fatal crash remains ongoing.
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