Driver charged after car rear-ends tractor-trailer on I-85 in Gaston County

GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — Officers responded to a multi-vehicle collision Sunday on Interstate 85 southbound in Gastonia.

Around 8:45 a.m. officers responded to two wrecks that occurred at the same location, one wreck leading to the other wreck.

A semi-truck was traveling in the right lane when it was struck by a 2009 Honda Pilot SUV as the SUV was attempting to merge into the right lane from the middle lane.

The SUV was driven by Junior Santos, 26, of Charlotte, and there was a female passenger, Vilma Posadas, 26, of Charlotte.

Both Santos and Posadas were taken to CaroMont Regional Medical Center with minor injuries.

Santos was charged with no license, DWI, and unsafe lane change.

The truck was driven by Samuel Deal, of Murphy.

Deal was uninjured, according to police.

The semi had stopped in the right lane due to the collision and had its hazard lights on.

Roughly 2 minutes after the first collision, a 2006 Chevrolet HHR driven by Aundrea Parsons, 37, of Charlotte, collided into the rear of the tractor-trailer, police said.

There were no signs of braking, and police said they believe Parsons was distracted with her cellphone by trying to make a call at the time of the collision.

Parsons was transported by ambulance to CaroMont Regional Medical Center with life-threatening injuries.
Parsons was then air-lifted to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

Police said it does not appear that speed or impairment were factors in the crashes.

Cox Media Group