A routine afternoon on I-95 turned deadly Tuesday when a crane truck overturned just north of Kenly, killing one person and critically injuring another. Northbound lanes were shut down for hours as emergency crews worked the scene and the surviving victim was rushed to WakeMed's trauma center. Traffic cameras and aerial footage showed the overturned truck jammed against a guardrail and first responders clustered around the wreckage well into the evening.
What officials reported
Johnston County Emergency Services confirmed that two people were on the construction crane when it flipped, according to WRAL. Sky 5 aerial coverage and traffic camera images showed the crane resting against a guardrail and multiple first responders at the scene while lanes remained blocked and crews worked to clear the wreckage.
State troopers' preliminary findings
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol told JoCo Report the crash was reported at about 4:02 p.m. near mile marker 106 and involved a 2008 Kenworth construction crane that overturned into the median. Local reporting identified the passenger as Felix Guadalupe Reta, 47, who died at the scene, and the driver as Wilson Jacob Brick, 46, who was taken to WakeMed in critical condition. Troopers said a ruptured tire is the preliminary suspected cause and that speed and alcohol are not believed to be factors.
Why tire failures can be deadly
Tire blowouts on heavy commercial vehicles can trigger a sudden loss of control and rollovers, particularly at interstate speeds. Federal rules require motor carriers to inspect and maintain their vehicles, including periodic inspections and recordkeeping under 49 CFR Part 396, standards explained by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
Traffic impacts and recovery
WRAL reported that lanes in the area were closed while wreckers and emergency crews removed the crane and cleared the median, and that traffic cameras showed investigators still on scene into the evening. Local accounts said at least one northbound lane and one southbound lane were blocked while recovery work continued.
Investigation and potential accountability
JoCo Report identified the truck owner as Superior Walls Systems LLC and said troopers continue to examine maintenance records and the vehicle's condition. If inspectors find maintenance lapses or regulatory violations, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and state authorities can pursue compliance reviews, fines or other enforcement measures.
