Hydroplaning pick-up truck kills woman in Johnston County wreck
GARNER, N.C. (WTVD) -- A wet Johnston County road was the site of a fatal crash on Sunday.
It happened around 5 p.m. on Highway 42, between Cornwallis Road and Interstate 40.
Eyewitnesses told an ABC11 crew on the scene that a pick-up pulling a trailer hydroplaned before striking a vehicle coming the other way.
According to police, witnesses said the truck was speeding in an attempt to pass a line of traffic. As the right lane ran out, the driver of the brownish-gold Ford F-150 attempted to merge into the left lane but lost control and ended up sideways in the westbound lanes.
A gray Hyundai SUV struck the Ford causing the trailer to come loose. The trailer was then struck by a white Chevrolet Tahoe.
The driver of the Hyundai, Stefanie McCartney of Clayton, was killed in the crash. Her teenaged daughter, Emaleigh McCartney - who was in the passenger seat - suffered severe, but not life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the Ford F-150, Robert G. Dees of Apex, also suffered severe, but not life-threatening injuries.
Both the teen and Dees were taken to WakeMed.
The driver of the Tahoe, along with four of his family members, were not injured.
Dees has been charged with with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and careless and reckless driving.
The accident forced troopers to shut down Highway 42 for several hours to clean up spilled fuel.
