Statesville – On Saturday, February 17, at approximately 4:45 p.m., the NC State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision in Iredell County on I-40 West near Mile Marker 156. A 2004 Subaru Forester was traveling in the left lane and struck a car hauler trailer being pulled by a 2022 Dodge Ram 3500. The Dodge had pulled into the median due to running out of gas, but the trailer was still partially in the travel lanes. This collision caused the Forester to collide with a 2023 Toyota RAV4 that was also traveling west on I-40.
The driver of the Forester, Justin Devon Wilson, 34, of Hickory, NC, succumbed to his injuries at the scene. EMS transported three juveniles in the vehicle to Brenner Children’s Hospital, Winston Salem, NC, with non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the Dodge, Yosbiel Morales Rodriguez, 34, of Lenoir, NC, was not injured.
The driver of the RAV4, Elizabeth Jeanne Qua, 60, of Zionsville, IN, and a passenger, were transported by EMS to an area hospital, with non-life-threatening injuries.
The initial investigation does not indicate impairment or speed to be contributing factors in the collision. All occupants were restrained by seatbelts. Possible charges are pending upon completion of the ongoing investigation and consultation with the Iredell County District Attorney’s Office. During the on-scene investigation, the roadway was closed in the area for approximately three hours.