During heavy midday traffic on Sunday afternoon, a Toyota minivan collided with a Ram 1500 while trying to turn into the Fresh Market parking lot in Southern Pines. The collision occurred shortly after 2 p.m. and resulted in traffic delays on surrounding roads.
According to a first-hand witness, the Toyota was traveling west and making a turn into the Fresh Market parking lot off Morganton Road, and the Ram was traveling east when the two vehicles collided.
Three occupants of the Toyota required extrication from the vehicle and were transported by EMS with non-life-threatening injuries.
Both vehicles sustained extensive damage, including body damage, cracked windows, and deployed air bags.
Both traffic lanes surrounding the crash site were closed while first responders removed occupants from the vehicles and cleared the wreckage from the roadway. It took nearly an hour for the scene to be cleared and for both lanes to open fully.
The Southern Pines Fire Department, Southern Pines Police Department, and Moore County EMS were on the scene.
~Article and photo by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Alex Juarez.