WILSON'S MILLS, Johnston County, N.C., Oct. 13, 2026 — One person died early Monday morning, October 12, after a head-on crash between an SUV and a commercial vacuum truck on US-70 in Johnston County. The SUV caught fire after the collision, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
The crash happened around 2:19 a.m. near mile marker 333, troopers said. The commercial truck was headed eastbound when the SUV, traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes, hit it head on in the left lane, according to the Highway Patrol.
After the impact, the SUV struck a guardrail, caught fire and came to rest facing south, investigators said. The truck driver, identified by the Highway Patrol as a 35-year-old, he was wearing a seat belt and suffered minor injuries. Paramedics took him to UNC Health Johnston in Smithfield for treatment. The SUV driver was pronounced dead at the scene and has not yet been publicly identified.
State troopers said driving the wrong way on a divided highway was a contributing factor in the crash. Toxicology results are pending to determine whether alcohol or drugs played a role, according to the Highway Patrol. The highway was closed for about six hours and reopened around 8 a.m. Monday. The Highway Patrol's Johnston County Division is asking anyone with information to contact investigators at 919-934-2196 or 919-733-3861.
Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the person who died.
Large Truck Crashes by the Numbers
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 153,452 people were injured in traffic crashes involving large trucks in 2023. That figure covers everything from passenger vehicle occupants to truck drivers themselves, and it reflects how often large commercial vehicles are involved in crashes that produce serious harm even when the truck itself holds up structurally.
Size and weight differences explain much of that toll. A loaded commercial truck can weigh twenty times more than a passenger car or SUV, so in a head-on or wrong-way collision, the smaller vehicle absorbs most of the damage. Fires, like the one in this crash, can start when fuel systems or batteries rupture on impact, adding a second danger after the initial collision.
Wrong-way crashes on divided highways make up a small share of total large-truck crashes nationally, but they carry a high fatality rate because closing speeds are so much higher than in same-direction collisions. Investigators typically look at lane markings, lighting, signage and driver condition when sorting out how a vehicle ended up traveling against traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes large truck crashes more dangerous than typical car crashes?
The weight and size gap between a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle means the smaller vehicle usually takes the force of impact. Even at moderate speeds, that mismatch can produce severe injuries or fires.
What are a truck's blind spots and why do they matter?
Large trucks have wide blind spots along both sides, directly behind the trailer and close in front of the cab. Drivers near these zones may not be visible to the truck driver, which can contribute to lane-change and merging crashes.
What is an underride crash?
An underride crash happens when a smaller vehicle slides partly or fully under a truck's trailer in a collision, often due to the height difference between the two vehicles. These crashes can be especially severe because the car's safety structure is bypassed.
What usually causes large-truck accidents?
Common factors include driver fatigue, wrong-way or wrong-lane travel, mechanical failure, impaired driving and poor visibility. Investigators typically review all of these when reconstructing a crash.
What to Do After a Head-On Truck Crash in Wilson's Mills, NC
If you're involved in or witness a head-on crash involving a commercial truck, call 911 immediately and move to a safe distance if there's any risk of fire. Even if you feel fine, seek a medical evaluation, since injuries from high-speed impacts aren't always immediately apparent.
It's important that you cooperate with responding troopers and provide a clear, factual account of what you saw. If you have information about this crash, the Highway Patrol's Johnston County Division has asked witnesses to come forward. Keep any paperwork from police or medical providers, since it may be needed later for insurance or reporting purposes.
