Truck Crashes Into Selma Church

SELMA, N.C. — A truck crash into a 20-year-old Selma church Monday morning left it badly damaged, but members of the congregation say their spirit and faith remain strong.

At about 10 a.m., police said, the truck's driver, 68-year-old Jerry Wood, fell asleep at the wheel, crashing into the Temple of Joy near South Pollack and Jones avenues.

"We have another fellowship church in Kenly," said Pastor James Neal. "So, we're going to have the fellowship there, probably, until we can get this re-established."

No one was inside, but on a Sunday morning, the church would have been full.

"We could have been in here having church and somebody's lives could've been lost," said church member Patricia Barfield. "But God allowed it to happen, and no one was here."

Wood was taken to Johnston Memorial Hospital in Smithfield for treatment of lacerations and was being held overnight for observation. Authorities have not yet determined whether charges will be filed in the case.