Iredell County, N.C. — One person is dead and several others were injured following a multi-vehicle crash late Saturday night on Interstate 77 North near mile marker 43.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to the scene at approximately 10:20 p.m. on May 31. According to investigators, a 2023 Hyundai Santa Cruz and a 2015 Dodge Caravan were partially stopped in the left lane due to a prior collision when a third vehicle approached.
Authorities say a 2003 Toyota Corolla, traveling northbound, failed to reduce speed and struck the Dodge Caravan. The impact caused the Dodge to collide with the Hyundai and with the drivers of the vehicles, who were standing near the Dodge at the time of the crash.
The passenger in the Toyota Corolla, identified as 18-year-old Shane Charles McCurdy of Kenly, North Carolina, died at the scene from his injuries. Kenly is located in Johnston and Wilson Counties.
The driver of the Corolla, 22-year-old Emma Leigh Garwood of Taylorsville in Alexander County, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital. She was later charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle and failure to reduce speed.
The driver of the Dodge Caravan, a resident of Macon, Georgia, was hospitalized in critical condition. The driver of the Hyundai Santa Cruz was also taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Investigators stated that impairment does not appear to have been a contributing factor in the crash. The section of I-77 North near the accident was closed for approximately two hours during the investigation and cleanup.
The incident remains under investigation by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
