Family says man is lucky to be alive after I-85 crash

CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C.,None — Family members of a man pinned underneath an 80,000-pound concrete slab told Eyewitness News he's lucky to be alive.

Justin "Brent" Carrick was trapped inside his work truck on Tuesday after the accident on Interstate 85 Northbound near Poplar Tent Road.

Carrick, who works for Tri-Co Electric Company in Lexington, N.C., was on his way home from a job with two other co-workers when they ran into the back of a wide-load trailer carrying the concrete slab.

Troopers said after Carrick's truck hit the concrete, two semi-trucks then slammed into his vehicle in a chain reaction crash.

"We were hit from behind and I just grabbed and held my head. Glass was flying everywhere," said co-worker and friend Zach Yontz.

Firefighters had to cut Carrick out of the cab of his truck, shutting down I-85 for hours. His co-workers were able to free themselves and walked away with scrapes and bruises.

Carrick was airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center, where he underwent surgery for a broken femur.

Family members told Eyewitness News Carrick has escaped death a number of times. He was born with a rare form of cancer, and has been in two serious car accidents in the past five years.

Carrick was also hospitalized for over a month a few years ago, when he fell 30 feet to the ground while he was cutting trees at a neighbor's home.

"I think there's a guardian angel looking after him -- there's got to be," said Carrick's grandfather.

Troopers said Carrick and one of the semi-truck drivers will be cited for their roles in the accident.

WSOC