Wrong-way driver caused major crash, shutting down I-40 in Johnston County, patrol says
A wrong-way driver charged with driving while intoxicated caused a major wreck in Johnston County, halting traffic for nearly two hours on I-40 West Friday afternoon, the N.C. Highway Patrol said.
The collision involved six vehicles, the N.C. Highway Patrol said.
An unnamed male driver got off of N.C. 210 at Exit 319 and drove eastbound in the westbound lane, colliding into oncoming traffic.
Three individuals, including the charged driver, were hospitalized with injuries in the crash, North Carolina State Highway trooper M. Parks told The News & Observer. The driver was transported to a WakeMed hospital.
Seven individuals involved in the crash refused medical treatment at the scene, Parks said.
All lanes of I-40 West and the left lane of I-40 East were closed off near Exit 319 to N.C. 210, near Benson, according to NCDOT. Highway lanes reopened before 4 p.m.
The driver also was charged with careless and reckless driving, and driving on the wrong way on the highway.
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This story was originally published May 27, 2022 at 7:42 PM.
