CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The North Carolina State Highway Patrol says a man was killed after an SUV crashed into a trailer and then into another SUV on I-40 Saturday afternoon.
Troopers say it happened around 4:45 p.m. on I-40 West near Exit 156. According to NCSHP, a 2004 Subaru Forester hit a car hauler trailer that was partially in the left lane. The trailer, troopers say, was pulled by a 2022 Dodge Ram 3500 that had run out of gas.
The initial collision between the Subaru led to it crashing into a 2023 Toyota RAV4, which troopers said was also traveling west on the highway.
34-year-old Justin Devon Wilson of Hickory was identified as the driver of the Forester. Troopers said he died of his injuries at the scene. There were also three children inside who were taken to Brenner Children's Hospital in Winston-Salem for treatment. Troopers said their injuries were deemed non-life-threatening.
The driver of the RAV4 was identified by troopers as a woman from Ohio, who had a passenger with her. Both were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. NCSHP also said the driver of the pickup truck hauling the trailer was unhurt.
Troopers said neither impairment nor excessive speed appeared to be factors in the crash, and everyone involved was wearing a seat belt at the time. The roadway was closed for about three hours for the on-scene investigation.