Johnston County, NC — February 4, 2025, one person was injured in a morning truck crash on State Road 1003/Buffalo Road near Clark Pond Road.

Authorities said a dump truck was involved in a crash with a passenger vehicle near the intersection.

One person suffered unspecified injuries in the crash, according to authorities, but it is not clear how that person was involved in the crash.

Authorities have not released any additional information about the crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I hear about a crash like this, my first question is, “What roadway factors contributed to the vehicles coming into conflict?” Many people assume crashes like this happen due to driver error alone, but in my experience, factors such as road design, visibility, and vehicle maneuverability often play a significant role.

One of the first things investigators should determine is how the vehicles came into contact. Did one driver attempt to turn onto or off the roadway? Did traffic congestion, road conditions or an unexpected maneuver by either vehicle contribute to the collision? While the crash didn’t happen directly in the intersection, its proximity to one suggests that merging traffic or slowing vehicles could have played a role.

Another key factor is visibility. Dump trucks have large blind spots, which can make it difficult for their drivers to see smaller vehicles nearby. Investigators should determine whether obstructions such as trees, signs or curves in the road limited either driver’s ability to react in time.

Speed and braking distance should also be examined. Dump trucks take longer to stop than passenger vehicles, especially when carrying heavy loads. If the truck was traveling too fast for conditions or if the passenger vehicle made a sudden maneuver, that could have contributed to the wreck. Reviewing ECM (black box) data from the truck could provide valuable insight into its speed and braking activity before the crash.

At this stage, too little is known to say exactly what led to this wreck, but that’s why a full investigation is necessary. Looking at vehicle movements, road conditions and driver actions will be key to understanding what happened and whether anything could have been done differently to prevent it.