Clayton, N.C. — A blown tire didn't cause a head-on collision on Interstate 40 in Johnston County last week that killed a Smithfield couple, North Carolina State Highway Patrol investigators said Monday.
Terri Lynn Reeves, 20, and Joshua James Witherspoon, 22, died Thursday night when their eastbound 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse crossed the I-40 median near the N.C. Highway 42 interchange and hit a westbound 2005 BMW X5 SUV and 2005 Lexus.
Their daughter, Shelby Faith Witherspoon, was trapped in her car seat in the back of the Mitsubishi for 20 to 30 minutes. She was listed in fair condition Monday at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill.
Reeves' brother said Friday that he feared a temporary spare tire on the Mitsubishi had blown out, causing her to lose control of the car.
Investigators found that all four tires on the car were intact and inflated, said First Sgt. Jeff Gordon, spokesman for the Highway Patrol.
Troopers also ruled out alcohol and excessive speeds as possible causes of the wreck and continue to investigate to determine what happened.
The funerals for Reeves and Witherspoon are scheduled for 8 p.m. Monday at Friendly Chapel Pentecostal Freewill Baptist Church in Benson. Burial will be Tuesday at Fellowship Community Cemetery in Angier.


![[READ STORY]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/news/national_world/national/2013/05/14/12445890/12446751-1368816960-100x75.jpg)
![[VIEW PAGE]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/news/local/2013/05/13/12441232/hahn-100x75.jpg)
![[READ STORY]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/business/2013/05/06/12417151/2457a21a00d94324b6fc448c8ec173d0-Photo-1-100x70.jpg)
![[GALLERY]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/entertainment/2013/03/28/12278304/LNL-100x75.jpg)
![[VIEW PAGE]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/traffic/2009/07/23/5645694/beltline-100x75.jpg)
![[GALLERY]](http://wwwcache.wral.com/asset/entertainment/2013/03/04/12182235/12182236-1362457268-100x75.jpg)
WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.
This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.
"If you look at their facebook page it shows a pic of her texting and driving like it was supposed to be funny. Now, I'm not a detective, but I wouldn't rule that one out."
That crossed my mind too. No alcohol, no speed, no blown tire; if she wasn't tailgating or something similarly aggressive and dangerous, or texting/dialing/talking, how did this happen? Hope they check her cell phone records.
Rebelyell55, this accident didn't just affect those who crossed the median. Three other people were hurt too and could have been killed. I gently suggest that we do have every right to speculate on what happened.
November 22, 2011 1:36 p.m.
November 21, 2011 7:18 p.m.
November 21, 2011 7:12 p.m.
November 21, 2011 6:46 p.m.
November 21, 2011 6:25 p.m.