GREENSBORO, Guilford County, N.C., Sept. 18, 2026 — A crash left one person with serious injuries on Thursday afternoon, September 17, on Merritt Drive in Greensboro. The police closed the road in both directions between Fairfax Road and Patterson Street.
Emergency crews responded to the scene around 4 p.m., according to a Greensboro Police Department release. One person was taken to a hospital with injuries described as serious.
The cause of the crash had not been determined as of the release. Authorities have not said how many vehicles were involved or what led up to the crash.
Detectives asked drivers to avoid the area while the road remained closed. The investigation was continuing, and authorities had not released further details.
We wish the injured a complete and speedy recovery.
Why Impairment and Fatigue Keep Causing Crashes in Greensboro
Some of the most routine-looking drives turn dangerous because of what a driver brings into the car, not what's on the road. A driver who has had even a few drinks, taken sedating medication, or gone too long without sleep reacts slower to a car braking ahead or a light changing. That delay, usually less than a second, is frequently the difference between stopping in time and colliding.
Fatigue works similarly to alcohol on reaction time and judgment, but it draws less attention because there's no roadside test for it. Drivers underestimate how tired they are, especially on short local trips they've made hundreds of times, and that overconfidence is part of what makes fatigue-related crashes persistent rather than rare.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 23,959 passenger-vehicle occupants were killed in motor-vehicle traffic crashes in 2023. Impairment and fatigue are cited across a meaningful share of those crashes year after year, which is why investigators routinely check for both when they respond to a serious-injury collision like this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do most traffic accidents happen?
Crashes cluster on busy urban and suburban roads, particularly near intersections, driveways, and stretches with frequent turns or merges, where vehicles cross paths at different speeds and angles.
How can drivers reduce their crash risk?
Staying focused, following at a safe distance, obeying posted speeds, and avoiding driving while drowsy or impaired all cut down on the split-second errors that lead to collisions.
What injuries are most common in car accidents?
Common injuries include whiplash and other neck or back strain, broken bones, head injuries, and cuts or bruises from broken glass or contact with the interior of the vehicle.
What are the most common causes of car accidents?
Distraction, speeding, impaired driving, fatigue, and failure to yield are among the factors investigators most frequently cite in crash reports.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Greensboro, NC
If you're involved in a crash, check yourself and any passengers for injuries and call 911 if anyone needs medical attention. Even if injuries seem minor at first, adrenaline can mask pain, so it's worth getting checked out by a medical professional afterward.
Move to a safe spot if the vehicle is drivable and it's safe to do so, and turn on hazard lights to warn other traffic. Wait for police to arrive and document the scene if you're able, including photos of vehicle positions, damage, and road conditions.
Exchange information with the other driver and get contact details from any witnesses nearby. Once you're safe, follow up with your insurance company and keep a copy of the official police report for your records.
