Sampson County, NC (May 9, 2026) – Three people were killed, and another person was seriously injured following a wrong-way crash early Saturday morning on Interstate 40 in Sampson County.
According to reports, emergency units responded around 2:41 a.m. to the eastbound lanes near mile marker 344 after receiving reports of a head-on collision. Investigators said a red Chevrolet Camaro was traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes when it struck a black Honda Accord head-on.
Both men inside the Camaro, identified as 21-year-old Jonathan Toxtle Zacarias and 20-year-old Gabriel Toxtle Zacarias, both of Fayetteville, were pronounced dead at the scene.
In the Honda Accord, a 14-year-old girl seated in the passenger seat was also pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the vehicle was airlifted to ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville with serious injuries.
Eastbound lanes of I-40 near Exit 343 were temporarily shut down following the crash before later reopening.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as soon as they become available. We extend our sincere condolences to the families of the deceased and are thinking of the injured person as they receive medical care.
Why Wrong-Way Highway Crashes Often Result in Fatal Head-On Collisions
Wrong-way crashes on interstate highways are among the most dangerous types of traffic incidents because they often involve direct head-on impacts at high speeds. Drivers typically have very little time to react when a vehicle enters traffic in the opposite direction.
These collisions frequently occur in low-light conditions, such as early morning hours, when visibility is reduced, and driver fatigue may be a factor. Interstates are designed for high-speed travel, so the impact force in these crashes is often severe.
After a wrong-way crash, investigators commonly review roadway signage, vehicle paths, and entrance ramps to determine how the wrong-way entry occurred. In fatal cases, crash reconstruction teams may also examine debris patterns and vehicle damage to better understand the sequence of events.
