A woman was killed Wednesday morning in a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 40 in Johnston County, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP).
The deadly collision occurred just before 9 a.m. near mile marker 313 on eastbound I-40. Investigators say three vehicles were traveling east when two of them — one in the middle left travel lane and another in the middle right travel lane — collided. The impact pushed both vehicles into a third car, a white Cadillac driving in the far right lane.
The Cadillac, driven by Ashley McNair, lost control and veered across all eastbound lanes before crashing into the median barrier. McNair was pronounced dead at the scene, troopers said.
The drivers of the other two vehicles involved in the initial impact sustained injuries and were transported to WakeMed for treatment. Their conditions have not been released.
Authorities have not yet said what led to the initial collision between the two vehicles. The crash remains under investigation, and charges are pending, the NCSHP confirmed.
The crash caused delays along I-40 as troopers worked to clear the scene and investigate. Traffic was reduced to one lane for several hours, impacting the morning commute.
McNair’s death marks another tragedy on North Carolina highways as officials continue urging drivers to remain cautious and alert, especially during busy morning travel times.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is expected to release additional information as the investigation continues.
