A man was airlifted to a trauma center after he was involved in two separate crashes just minutes apart in Aberdeen and Southern Pines on Wednesday.
Investigators at the scene tell Sandhills Sentinel the driver of a Toyota Tercel with Ohio plates ran a stoplight at the intersection of Highway 211 and East Indiana Avenue and collided with a Toyota pickup truck.
The driver of the Tercel did not stop at the scene and continued down E. Indiana Ave, according to officials. Just a little over a mile from the original crash, he crossed the centerline and hit a Dodge Ram pickup truck head-on. The impact sent the Dodge into a tree on the right side of the road.
A Dodge Ram crashed into a tree on E. Indiana Ave.
Three occupants of the Dodge Ram were unharmed, and the driver of the Toyota pickup truck in the original crash was also uninjured.
The driver of the Tercel was taken by ambulance to the nearby landing helipad for UNC Air Care located behind Aberdeen Fire Station Number 2. He was then taken to a trauma center by helicopter. His condition is unknown, but first responders say he was alert and talking at the scene.
Troopers say the driver of the Tercel is facing multiple charges including failure to stop at the scene of a collision and crossing the centerline.
Responding to the scene were Southern Pines Fire Department, Moore County EMS, Moore County Sheriff’s Department, Aberdeen Fire Department, NC Highway Patrol, and Rockwell Towing.
Feature photo: A Toyota Tercel suffered heavy damage in two separate car accidents on April 27.
~Article and photos by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter Patrick Priest.
