Four Tragically Killed in a Box Truck Accident in Pender County, North Carolina

PENDER COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA - A news story published on wect.com reports that a family was traveling to a family wedding in Surf City.  However, the family was involved in a tragic, fatal box truck accident.*  The report states that the box truck struck the family's vehicle while the family was stopped at a red light on Highway 17. 

The car reportedly flipped over onto its roof after the box truck struck the motor vehicle.  The vehicle tragically crushed a two-year-old child and threw the mother outside of the motor vehicle.  The mother was eight months pregnant and was taken to a local area hospital for medical treatment.  Doctors performed a caesarian section.  The young child tragically passed away a couple of days after the accident.  

The box truck driver allegedly failed to slow down for traffic that was stopped ahead.  According to the accident investigators, the box truck driver was eating a sandwich prior to the accident.  The report also states that the box truck driver may have been driving under the influence of drugs.

Law enforcement officers responded to the accident and arrested the commercial truck driver for "Misdemeanor Death by Motor Vehicle."  The report states that those who spoke with the box truck driver stated that he did not show signs of being intoxicated.  However, District Attorney Ben David stated that the driver was complaining of stomach pains at the Pender County Detention Facility and admitted to a detention officer that "he was coming off of a high, withdrawal from heroin.”  

Toxicology experts reported that heroin can exit the bloodstream in about four hours.  The lab discovered trace amounts of fentanyl and THC in the box truck driver’s bloodstream.  Additional criminal charges may be filed against the box truck driver.  The fatal accident is currently under investigation by law enforcement officers. 

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Source:

https://www.wect.com/2021/11/17/crimes-cape-fear-two-children-killed-box-truck-crash/