One person was airlifted after a serious rollover accident in front of Belk department store in Southern Pines Wednesday evening. The two-vehicle accident occurred at the intersection of Highway 15-501 and Morganton Road at 8:30 p.m.
A large SUV collided with a Honda Civic as they came into the intersection. The SUV rolled over down the highway and came to rest upside down on its roof. The impact sent debris from both vehicles all over the highway. The male driver of the SUV was removed from the vehicle by firefighters and had sustained serious injuries.
A helicopter was called to transport the man to a trauma center, according to officials on the scene. Southern Pines firefighters set up a landing zone at Memorial Park on Morganton Road. The helicopter landed at the ball field and met waiting paramedics to airlift the man to the trauma center. His condition is unknown at this time. The driver of the other car was evaluated at the scene by EMS.
The accident shut down the intersection and also the southbound lanes of Highway 15-501. Traffic was rerouted while emergency crews worked.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation by the Southern Pines Police Department.
Responding to the scene were Southern Pines Fire & Rescue, Moore County EMS, and Southern Pines Police.
~Article and photo by Sandhills Sentinel Publisher B.J. Goodridge.
