Residents concerned about safety of Johnston highway after girl critically injured in crash

The crash happened on N.C. Highway 242 in Johnston County, between Bear Road and Godwin Lake Road.

People are donating money at a Short Stop to help her family, and some are wondering what needs to be done to make the highway safer.

Joyce Massengill’s home sits along N.C. 242, where she said she’s seen fender-benders, rollovers and head-on crashes.

Lacy Langdon has lived along the highway for 13 years. She called the scene of the crash a dangerous stretch.

“Lots of fatalities on the curb," Langdon said. "Their speed is a lot. It is a very dangerous road.”

State Highway Patrol troopers said a mother driving with children tried to bypass a stranded car. Her car and an oncoming car collided.

The woman and the children were sent to the hospital.

People at the Short Stop were raising money for the mother, the store manager, and her 8-year-old, named Gracie, who was on life-support.

“Spare change or anything will help,” someone said.

Some hope more signs will tell drivers about the road’s dangers.

“The biggest thing, when it says go 35, go 35 instead of trying to take the curb so fast,” Langdon said.