SANFORD, N.C. — A military bus carrying a group of 82nd Airborne Division soldiers crashed Wednesday in Sanford on the way to Military Appreciation Night at the Charlotte Hornets game, officials said.
Four vehicles were involved in the wreck in Lee County and medical helicopters were called to the scene at about 2 p.m.
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The State Highway Patrol said a car traveling south on NC 87 crossed the center line and hit another car and then sideswiped a Walmart tractor-trailer, bouncing off the truck and striking the charter bus carrying the soldiers head-on.
None of the 36 soldiers on board were hurt. They were still going to the game and stopped at First Ward Park in uptown for a reenlistment ceremony on the way.
Blessed and honored to stumble upon the re-enlistment ceremony of the 82nd of Fort Bragg @wsoctv pic.twitter.com/kg6oqyggHf
— John Ahrens (@JohnAhrensWSOC9) February 9, 2022
Spec. Tyrek Lessene was one of the soldiers who reenlisted then went to The Hive to watch the basketball game.
“Some people don’t have a lot of stuff to look forward to,” Lessene said. “It might not be a big thing to other people, but to us in uniform it is.”
Sgt. C.J. Lopez and Spec. Maria Thirakul also reenlisted before watching the Hornets game.
“It’s a good time,” Thiraku said. “We really don’t get a chance to do this often. So the fact the military provides us with this experience is pretty cool.”
Hornet fans like Jeff Salaway was thankful they were able to make it to the Queen City for the game.
“I’m glad to hear that everybody is OK,” Salaway said. “Not that they need any more personal challenges, given what they have to deal with. I’m glad everybody is OK.”
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