One killed, three injured in Dunn crash

Troopers say a "Mexico Central Foods" box truck was heading south on Highway 242 about 8:30 a.m. when it failed to stop and collided with a PT Cruiser heading west on Highway 55.

The truck flipped on its side and the car, which was carrying a father and his 13-year-old son, went into a ditch. The teenager was pronounced dead at the scene, according to troopers.

His father was responsive after the crash but had lost consciousness by the time he arrived at WakeMed Hospital, troopers said.

The truck driver, Nelson Ramos, 28, was charged with failure to stop and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. He and his passenger were treated and released.

Police identified the boy and his father as 13-year-old Caden Allen and Curtis Allen. Witnesses said Curtis Allen is a deacon in an area church, and his son had recently rededicated his life to Christ.

Two men in the box truck were taken to Johnston Memorial Hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

This is the third fatal crash at the intersection since 2002 and the fourth since 1999, according to the state Department of Transportation. Two wrecks occur at the intersection in an average year, the agency said. DOT engineers are trying to determine whether any changes can be made to make the intersection safer.

Thursday's crash was cleared and the roads reopened shortly after noon.