A 33-year-old woman died in a crash Saturday morning on Interstate 40 in Sampson County.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (SHP), the incident happened around 10:24 a.m.

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The SHP said a 2022 Chevrolet Equinox driven by Micheala Venters Capps was traveling east in the right lane. A 2020 Mazda SUV driven by 36-year-old Te Era Jordan was also traveling east in the left lane.

Capps attempted to merge into the left lane and struck the right front quarter panel of the Mazda SUV. Following the impact, Capps lost control of the SUV and ran off the road. The SUV crashed into the median and a bridge pillar before catching fire.

Fatal crash closes lane on I-40 in Sampson County
At least one person has died in a crash Saturday morning on Interstate 40 in Sampson County.
Woman dies after car hits bridge piling on I-40, catches fire in Sampson County
A 33-year-old woman has died in a crash Saturday morning on Interstate 40 in Sampson County.

Capps was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Mazda, Jordan, was not injured.

Investigators believe reckless driving and excessive speed contributed to the crash. Impairment is not believed to be a factor.