Selma, N.C. — Authorities on Friday located a man suspected of causing a wreck on a Johnston County highway that injured eight other people.
A white Toyota Camry was traveling the wrong way on U.S. Highway 70 in Selma shortly after midnight Thursday and collided head-on into a tanker truck filled with diesel fuel and a minivan, according to the state Highway Patrol.
Emergency workers took the eight occupants of the minivan to Johnston Memorial Hospital for treatment. The driver the of the Camry was airlifted to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill.
The Camry driver didn't have any identification at the time of the wreck, so authorities said he wasn't easily located in the hospital's patient data system.
Authorities initially thought he had left the hospital without being identified because he was afraid of being charged.
But the man has been in the hospital's intensive care unit in critical condition since early Thursday, authorities said Friday afternoon. The man's identity remained a mystery, though.
Alcohol was a factor in the wreck, authorities said, and the Selma man who owns the Camry reported it stolen within hours of the wreck.
The Highway Patrol was reviewing the mix-up, and officials said they planned to question how the trooper handled the investigation.
The General Assembly passed a law in July allowing authorities to photograph unidentified drivers who have been charged in wrecks. The law takes effect Dec. 1.



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No big surprise. How can you be held responsible if you report it stolen?
"If this person regain conciousness he could have easily walked away from the hospital."
Happens all the time.
"If this person was "airlifted" he had to be in pretty bad shape so is he really missing or like whatelseisnew said, they dont remember what they did with him."
Victims who are involved in car crashes are assessed in part by their condition, in part by the mechanism of injury. IF they score high enough, they need to go to a trauma center for evaluation. Johnston COunty does not have a trauma center, and most of the EMS agencies will not transport to WakeMed. They would rather let the helicopter come and get them.
November 16, 2007 1:45 p.m.
November 16, 2007 1:41 p.m.
"Authorities have not determined whether the man is in this country illegally. Hooks said illegal immigrants involved in accidents, especially hit-and-runs, often disappear before authorities can question them."
Ding ding ding ding, we have a winner. The one poster is right, if WRAL doesn't report who the suspect is in cases like this, it's almos always a Hispanic.
November 16, 2007 1:39 p.m.
Please note: sarcasm is intended and intentional.......if you can't (or will not) speak English, print this out and take it to the NCDMV, they will be delighted to help you!!!!
November 16, 2007 1:39 p.m.
November 16, 2007 1:36 p.m.