Troopers say the crash happened when a Ford pickup truck was traveling east in the center lane of I-40. The 17-year-old driver attempted to merge into the right lane and struck a Ford SUV traveling beside the pickup.
The impact caused the pickup driver to lose control, run off the roadway to the right, and overturn. The truck came to rest off the highway.
A passenger in the pickup, identified as Jarin Brent Cull, 56, of Four Oaks, died from his injuries.
The driver of the SUV, Citlali Ahumada Pavon, 25, of Benson, sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
The teen driver of the pickup was taken to WakeMed for treatment.
Troopers said they are consulting with the Johnston County District Attorney's Office and plan to charge the teenager with failure to maintain lane control and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.