A 17-year-old male driver was trapped and subsequently airlifted to a trauma center Saturday morning after a fiery crash in Jackson Springs. The single-vehicle crash happened just before 11 a.m. on Jackson Springs Road, about a half mile past Jackson Springs Post Office.
According to authorities at the scene, a Dodge truck was traveling west on Jackson Springs Road when it crossed the center line around a curve, nearly colliding head-on with an eastbound vehicle. The truck then overcorrected, spun, went down an embankment, and struck a tree. The impact tore off the passenger-side wheels, causing extensive damage and scattering debris along the roadway.
The driver of the vehicle that was almost hit turned around to assist the teenage driver but was unable to free him from his seat belt. A second vehicle arrived, and the good Samaritans were able to safely free him from the truck.
By the time the first emergency personnel arrived on the scene, the truck was fully engulfed in flames.
North Carolina State Highway Patrol was investigating the crash and confirmed to Sandhills Sentinel that speed may have been a factor.
The driver was transported to a landing zone on Derby Road and airlifted to a trauma center. His condition is unknown at this time.Â
Rockwell Towing towed the vehicle from the scene.
~Article and photo by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Daniel Gwyn. Daniel has been reporting breaking news for Sandhills Sentinel since 2020.
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