Local News

17-year-old seriously hurt in Johnston crash

A 17-year-old girl was taken to a local hospital Sunday evening after she crashed into a tree on a Johnston County highway.

Posted Updated
N.C. Highway 39 crash
KENLY, N.C. — A 17-year-old girl suffered a serious head injury after she crashed her vehicle into a tree on a Johnston County highway Sunday night.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol said Jamie Upchurch of Zebulon was heading home from a friend's house about 9:45 p.m. when the crash happened.

Upchurch was traveling north on N.C. Highway 39, near Creech Church Road, near Kenly when she went off the road, over-corrected, crossed the center line and hit a tree.

She was taken to WakeMed in Raleigh with head and other injuries. Troopers said she was put into a medically induced coma. She was listed in critical condition Monday.

Troopers said alcohol, texting or excessive speeding were not factors in the crash. However, the driver's inexperience likely contributed to the crash.

 Credits 

Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.