ROCKY POINT, Pender County, N.C., Sept. 26, 2026 — One person was flown to a hospital on Friday afternoon, September 25, after a serious crash on Interstate 40 near Rocky Point, according to Pender County Emergency Services. The collision shut down both eastbound lanes and a westbound lane of the interstate for an extended period.
Crews were sent to the westbound side of I-40, east of Rocky Point, to back up the Rocky Point Fire Department. Firefighters and paramedics arriving on scene found the driver trapped inside a vehicle.
Given the severity of the crash and the extended extrication needed to free the driver, first responders called in a medical helicopter, Pender County Emergency Services reported. An ECU Health EastCare helicopter landed on the interstate itself to treat the patient before flying them out. The driver's identity and condition have not been released.
Responding agencies included the Rocky Point Fire Department, Pender County Emergency Services Fire and EMS, the Pender County Sheriff's Office, and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, according to Pender County Emergency Services. The State Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into what caused the crash. The number of vehicles involved and a timeline for reopening the road were not immediately available.
We hope everyone who was hurt makes a full and speedy recovery.
Where Interstate Crashes Turn Into Multi-Lane Shutdowns
Serious crashes on interstates like I-40 tend to cluster in a few predictable spots: stretches with limited shoulder space, curves that reduce sightlines, and segments far from exits where responders and tow trucks take longer to reach the scene. When a vehicle ends up blocking a travel lane on a highway with no immediate crossover, responders usually have no choice but to close opposing lanes too, simply to give fire, EMS, and medevac crews room to work.
Rural interstate segments pose a particular challenge. Traffic moves at higher speeds than on urban arterials, so any obstruction, whether a stalled car or a wreck under active extrication, creates a longer window of risk for other drivers approaching at highway speed. That combination of speed and narrow recovery space is part of why crashes on rural interstate stretches so usually require full or partial closures rather than a quick lane shift.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 1,947,298 passenger-vehicle occupants were injured in motor-vehicle traffic crashes in 2023. Interstate segments account for a share of those crashes disproportionate to their mileage relative to local roads, largely because of the speeds involved and the time it takes to clear a scene safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
What injuries are most common in car accidents?
Car accidents frequently cause head and neck injuries, broken bones, internal injuries, and cuts from broken glass or debris. Severity depends heavily on speed, whether occupants were restrained, and how the vehicle was struck.
What are the most common causes of car accidents?
Speeding, distracted driving, following too closely, impaired driving, and failure to yield are among the most frequently cited factors in crash reports nationwide.
How does speed affect crash severity?
Higher speeds increase both the force of impact and the distance needed to stop or avoid a hazard, which is why highway crashes usually produce more serious injuries than crashes on lower-speed roads.
Why is distracted driving so dangerous?
Taking eyes, hands, or attention off the road for even a few seconds can prevent a driver from reacting in time to slow traffic, a stopped vehicle, or a lane closure ahead.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Rocky Point, NC
If you're involved in or come upon a crash on a highway, move to a safe area if possible and call 911 right away. Stay in your vehicle with hazards on unless it's unsafe to do so, and never approach a crash scene involving downed wires, fire, or fuel leaks.
Anyone involved in a crash, even one that seems minor at first, should get checked by a medical professional. Some injuries, particularly to the neck, back, or head, don't show symptoms right away. Keep a record of any citations, medical visits, or vehicle damage in case they're needed later.
If you're driving through an area with lane closures after a crash, slow down early, follow flagger or trooper instructions, and give responders and towing crews wide space to work safely.
