Driver cited after cement truck falls on van carrying 4 people

CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — The Highway Patrol is investigating a wreck involving a cement mixer truck and a car on Highway 49 at Zion Church Road in Cabarrus County.

Crews responded just before 8:30 a.m. Wednesday when a truck carrying 40,000 pounds of concrete fell on top of a van with four people inside.

Troopers said the van was sitting at the light when the concrete truck made a right. The truck's speed and weight caused it to overturn and crush the van, according to troopers.

Highway 49 was shut down as crews worked to free the four people trapped inside the van, deputies said.

Rescuers needed a crane, and found one nearby, to help lift the truck and free the victims.

Two girls were pulled out by first responders, but the crane was needed to help lift the concrete truck off the van and remove the driver and another teen.

The woman driver and the teen were freed after about 75 minutes and flown to the hospital.

Troopers said all four people in the van are expected to survive.

A woman Channel 9 spoke with was shaken up, saying she was just a few minutes behind the crash.

"Thinking how lucky I am today," said Carol Andora. "I keep getting on the verge of tears because it was so close."

Deputies said the driver of the cement truck, Otis Mixon Jr., was cited for exceeding a safe speed.

The cement truck was removed from the scene shortly after 3 p.m.

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Cox Media Group