Sampson County, NC (May 16, 2026) – Four people, including two children, were hospitalized following a single-vehicle crash on Friday evening on Interstate 40 in Sampson County.
The crash occurred just after 5 p.m. on Friday, May 15, while a 2007 Toyota Yaris was traveling eastbound on I-40. According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the vehicle experienced a rear right tire blowout, causing the driver to lose control.
Officials said the car veered left off the roadway and struck a cable guardrail before rolling across into the westbound lanes and coming to a stop.
The driver, 19-year-old Brian Hugo Arana of Angier, was transported to Vidant Hospital in Greenville. The front-seat passenger, 20-year-old Alex Francisco Cueller Castro, was taken to WakeMed in Raleigh. Both adults were reported to have been wearing seat belts.
Two children seated in the rear were ejected from the vehicle during the rollover. One child was taken to WakeMed in Raleigh, while the other was transported to Novant Health Hospital in Wilmington. Their conditions, along with those of the other occupants, were not immediately released.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as soon as they become available. We are thinking of those injured as they receive medical care.
Why Tire Blowouts Can Lead to Severe Highway Rollover Crashes
Tire blowouts at highway speeds can cause sudden loss of vehicle control, especially when the vehicle is already traveling at a steady speed in traffic. The abrupt change in tire pressure can make steering difficult and cause the vehicle to veer unexpectedly.
Investigators often examine tire condition, roadway impact points, and guardrail damage to understand how the vehicle left its original lane. The direction of travel and angle of impact can also help reconstruct the rollover sequence.
Rollover crashes can be especially severe for rear-seat passengers if restraints are not properly used. During these incidents, investigators typically review vehicle interior damage, ejection points, and final rest positions to determine how injuries occurred.
