A Candor man’s life tragically ended Tuesday night after he was killed in a head-on crash in Carthage. The two-vehicle crash happened on U.S. Highway 15-501 at the bridge where Vass-Carthage Road crosses over.
According to officials, a Lexus sedan traveling south crossed the centerline and collided with a flatbed tow truck. The collision left both vehicles heavily damaged and a debris field scattered over the length of a football field.
The driver of the Lexus, Timothy Smith, 40, of Candor, was declared dead at the scene. The male driver of the tow truck was checked out by EMS on the scene but was not injured. Both drivers were the only occupants.
U.S. Highway 15-501 was shut down between Carthage Municipal Building and Speer Concrete for several hours while crews worked the scene, and the vehicles were removed.
Due to excessive fluids leaking, NCDOT responded with a load of sand to cover the road.
N.C. Highway Patrol was on the scene assisting Carthage Police Department with the crash investigation. Highway Patrol told Sandhills Sentinel that speed may have been a factor.
Boles Funeral Home and the N.C. Medical Examiner also responded to the scene.
~Article, photos and video by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Daniel Gwyn.
