ASHEBORO N.C. (NC SHP) – Two cars stopped after a minor crash on I-73/74 this morning were struck by a third vehicle bringing the early morning commute on the interstate to a crawl.
According to a press release from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NC SHP), at 7:26 am on Friday, May 6th 2022, troopers responded to the report of a crash that occurred on I-73 (southbound) near Presnell Street in Randolph County.
The NC SHP was already sending Troopers to another accident in the southbound lanes of I-73, inside Asheboro City limits. That first accident had started to backup traffic on the interstate.
Eric Wayne Thomas, 41, of High Point, N.C, was stopped in the southbound travel lane of I-73, in a 2013 Honda Civic. Hayden Scott Benge, 21, of Randleman, N.C., was also stopped in the southbound travel lane of I-73 in a 2020 Jeep Gladiator.
Ray Derrick Little, 41, of Star, N.C., was traveling south on I-73 in a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe. Little failed to reduce speed and struck the rear of Benge. The collision caused a chain reaction, forcing Benge into the rear of Thomas.
Thomas received minor injuries and was transported to Moses H. Cone Hospital in Greensboro. Benge also received minor injuries and was transported to Randolph Hospital in Asheboro. Little suffered serious injuries during the crash and was transported to Moses H. Cone Hospital in Greensboro.
This collision is still under investigation. Charges are pending against Little One southbound lane remained open during the investigation, however I-73 near Presnell Street was closed momentarily for clean-up. All lanes are open at this time. Troopers cleared the scene at 8:41 a.m.
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