Unlicensed truck driver Marlon Patterson has been cited following a serious rear-end crash that sent a family to the hospital and shut down Interstate 95 for approximately 10 hours. The collision occurred around 2:30 a.m. Sunday in Nash County, North Carolina.
According to North Carolina Highway Patrol, Patterson’s Volvo semi truck slammed into the back of a Mack truck carrying a driver and his family near the Dortches rest stop. The impact caused Patterson’s vehicle to jackknife, separating the cab from its trailer.
“Both vehicles came to rest in the southbound lanes of I-95, blocking both lanes completely,” a Highway Patrol spokesperson told Fox 8.
Emergency responders transported Patterson to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the struck Mack truck was taken to a hospital as a precaution, along with his wife and three-year-old child.
Patterson faces multiple citations including failure to reduce speed, driving with a revoked license, and not wearing a seatbelt. The early morning crash created significant disruption for weekend travelers.
WRAL News reported that crews worked throughout the morning to clear the wreckage from the interstate. The southbound lanes remained closed until approximately 12:30 p.m. Sunday.
Authorities haven’t released information about what caused Patterson to rear-end the family’s truck. The investigation continues as officials assess the full circumstances of the crash.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns about commercial vehicle safety on North Carolina highways, particularly during overnight hours when visibility can be compromised.