In accordance with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, a collision that occurred on Interstate 77 North resulted in the death of one individual and the injury of three others.
It was approximately 10:20 p.m. when the fatal collision took place in Iredell County, close to mile marker 43. According to the investigators, a Hyundai Santa Cruz and a Dodge Caravan were now partially stopped in the left lane as a result of an earlier collision when the tragic event occurred.
Officials said that a Toyota Corolla traveling in the northern direction failed to slow down sufficiently and collided with a Dodge Caravan that was halted. This collision set off a chain reaction that resulted in the Caravan colliding with the Hyundai.
Additionally, the car collided with the drivers of both vehicles, who were currently standing next to the Dodge at the moment of the collision.
A fatal accident claimed the life of Shane Charles McCurdy, age 18, from Kenly. Within the Toyota Corolla, McCurdy was a passenger at the time.
It was determined that the injuries sustained by Emma Leigh Garwood, 22, of Taylorsville, who was driving the Corolla, were not believed to be life-threatening. She was transported to a nearby hospital. Both the misdemeanor charge of death by automobile and the charge of failure to lower speed have been brought against Garwood.
It was determined that the individual who was driving the Dodge Caravan was in severe condition when he was taken to a nearby hospital. The driver of the Hyundai Santa Cruz was also taken to the hospital with injuries that were not considered to be life-threatening.
According to the preliminary findings of the investigation conducted by the State Highway Patrol, impairment was not a contributing factor in the collision. During the approximately two hours that investigators were working at the scene of the incident, that part of Interstate 77 North was closed.
The inquiry into the collision that resulted in death is still ongoing.
