Mother killed, child among those injured in hit-and-run crash on US Hwy 70 in Johnston County

JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. (WTVD) -- A woman was killed and three others, including a child, were injured Sunday morning in a hit-and-run crash on U.S. Highway 70 in Johnston County. The search for the driver who caused the accident is underway.

The deadly crash happened near the Cornwallis Road underpass around 3 a.m., according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP).

Investigators said a white BMW was traveling the wrong way eastbound when it hit a white Jeep Cherokee head-on. One car caught fire after the crash, and the BMW driver fled the scene, NCSHP says.

The front passenger in the Jeep Kortney Atkins, 24, of Goldsboro died on the way to WakMed Hospital.

The woman driving the Jeep and other occupants, a child under the age of five and a man, were taken to WakeMed Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, NCSHP said. Their identities have not been released.

Authorities are still searching for the BMW driver.

State Highway Patrol said this is an ongoing investigation. Charges are expected once the driver is found.

Atkins' mother-in-law told ABC11 that the couple were high school sweethearts and were originally from Powell, Tennessee. She said the couple ended up at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base when her son, Michael Atkins, was stationed there. The family still resides in Goldsboro.

Michael Atkins suffered from broken ribs and a broken sternum after the crash. His mother said her grandson also had minor bruising from the crash and that he and Michael are expected to recover.

Anyone with information is asked to contact N.C. State Highway Patrol Johnston County division at 919-934-2186 or 919-733-3861.