Five people were killed Tuesday in a crash on Interstate 95 near Rowland, North Carolina in a crash involving several large tractor-trailer trucks.
According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, three adults and two children were killed in the wreck. The children were identified as Sianna Spennati, 1, and Aila Spennati, 4, from Goose Creek, South Carolina. Their parents, Elise Spennati, 32, and Cole Spennati, were also killed.
The driver of one of the tractor-trailers, Michael Bricker, 68, from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was also killed in the crash.
According to officials with the Highway Patrol, the crash took place at 1 p.m. at an area of the highway where crews were installing new lane lines on the roadway. Bricker’s truck reportedly drove into the work zone behind slowing traffic, and was unable to slow down in time before he hit the rear of the Spennatis’ Dodge pickup truck. The force of the collision pushed the Dodge into a Ford Explorer, when was pushed into a Ford Escape SUV.
Four people in the Ford Explorer and Escape were transported to nearby hospitals with serious injuries. They have not yet been identified.
After these collisions, Bricker’s truck subsequently hit another 18-wheeler truck that was carrying 500 gallons of gasoline, setting both on fire. A third 18-wheeler was then hit. Bricker then crossed into the opposite lanes before striking several trees off the road. The fire was reportedly extinguished quickly.
The drivers of the other two 18-wheelers were treated at the scene for minor injuries and were then released.
Traffic was reportedly backed up for miles in both directions.
Sources: http://robesonian.com/news/99065/at-least-3-dead-in-fiery-i-95-accident
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/traffic/article150992582.html