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2 critically injured, airlifted in multicar crash in Alexander County

By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com
By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com

ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. — Part of North Carolina Highway 16 was shut down Monday morning in Alexander County due to a head-on, multicar crash that injured two women.

Channel 9 reporter Dave Faherty was at the scene near Millersville Road around 10:50 a.m. and captured video showing three heavily damaged vehicles. A white car could be seen on top of a guardrail.

Investigators said they believe one of the drivers crossed the centerline while trying to avoid a car that was turning and slammed into the white car as it was heading south on Highway 16.

Firefighters said they had to cut the roof off one of the cars to get the driver out.

"I heard the bam, and all of a sudden, traffic slammed to a stop," resident Sandy Eckard said. "You could see the one up on the guardrail. It was bad, really bad."

Faherty said medical helicopters touched down near the crash scene and that two women were airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center and Baptist Hospital with critical injuries. Rescuers said the drivers involved in the crash were talking with them as they were treated at the scene.

"It's very, very dangerous and people don't pay attention anymore,” resident Bill Blackburn said. “I almost got hit the other morning."

Firefighters said they have responded to a dozen crashes at the intersection of Highway 16 and Millersville Road during the last 10 years.

The Highway Patrol said charges are pending in the case and are asking drivers to exercise caution anytime they get behind the wheel.

"Just use caution,” Trooper Derrick Pennell said. “Pay attention on the roads. Make sure you don't end up in something like this."

[RELATED: Live updates from Traffic Team 9]

Officials have not said if any charges will be filed.

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