SHELBY, N.C. — Officials are investigating a serious crash in Shelby that killed one man, sent another to the hospital and shut down parts of a major highway for several hours.
Police said George “Jay” Mebane, 59, of Shelby died after his Subaru crashed into a tractor-trailer at the intersection of U.S 74 and East Marion Street, around 4:45 p.m. Saturday.
Police said Mebane was approaching the intersection on East Marion Street when he crossed the yellow line, drove through a grass median and hit a tractor-trailer, which was stopped at the intersection on U.S 74. The tractor-trailer then crashed into a Ford Flex carrying two adults and two children.
[ PHOTOS: Scene of fatal Shelby crash involving tractor-trailer ]
Mebane was killed on impact, police said. They said the accident scene shows no signs of braking before the Subaru hit the tractor-trailer.
On scene investigators said they believed Mebane was traveling approximately 70 mph when the crash happened, about double the speed limit.
“It’s too early to speculate what caused the driver to lose control,” said Sgt. Todd Vickery with Shelby Police. “That’s what we’re focused on finding out to help provide closure for the family.
[ RAW video: Man dies after SUV crosses median, hits tractor-trailer, police say ]
The driver of the tractor-trailer was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The four people in the Ford Flex were not hurt.
Traffic on U.S. 74 west and east was rerouted for more than four hours as crews cleared the wreckage. The road reopened around 9:30 p.m.
The crash remains under investigation, officials said.