Traffic Flowing On Highway 258 After Pileup

A deadly accident involving several vehicles closed US-258 for hours. Traffic is flowing again. Investigators say the weather might have played a role.

By: Jim Niedelman | WNCT-On Your Side
Published: July 13, 2009

UPDATED 8:05 PM.

Excess water on the roads factored into a deadly five-vehicle pileup on Highway 258 in Onslow County today. It happened around 11:30 this morning. State troopers say the driver of a Ford F150 pickup truck heading south hydroplaned, lost control and slammed into oncoming traffic, including a tractor trailer that was carrying logs.

Troopers say 59-year-old Frederick Sloan of Chinquapin died at the scene. Four people were injured. One of them was airlifted to New Hanover Regional Hospital with broken bones.

Charges are pending against the driver of the Ford pickup truck. All lanes have reopened on Highway 258 after being shutdown about 3 hours after the accident.

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A five-vehicle accident involving a log truck Monday afternoon killed one person and shut down a section of US Highway 258 in Onslow County near Jacksonville. Investigators at the scene also say several people were injured and that the rain might have factored into the accident.

State Troopers closed the five-lane highway in both directions for a couple of hours. Some lanes have reopened, but traffic remains slow through the area. North Carolina's Department of Transportation says the accident happened at 12:31 pm. on Richlands Highway (US 258) near Liberty Park Road (SR-1226).

Troopers say the driver of a Ford F-150 lost control while driving eastbound on Highway 258 and went across the center line. That caused the pileup involving the log truck, an SUV, a light pickup truck and a small car. Investigators say the driver of the F-150 will face charges, but it's not clear what they will be at this point.

There is a detour available to avoid the accident and the traffic. People driving northbound from Jacksonville can turn left on Pony Farm Road (SR-1212), left on Fire Tower Road (SR-1211), right on NC-111 and then left to get back on Highway 258 northbound.

People driving south from Richlands need to turn right NC-111, left on Fire Tower Road (SR-1211), left on Pony Farm Road (SR-1212) and then right to get back on Highway 258 southbound.