Fiery crash in Johnston County: Car crossed centerline, hitting diesel and gasoline truck head-on

A man is dead after a tanker truck crashed and caught fire Tuesday on N.C. Highway 39 in Johnston County.

The crash happened around 5 p.m. on N.C. 39 near Meadowbrook Lane, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

Officials said the 2024 Freightliner M2106 was carrying gasoline, diesel fuel and off-road diesel. A 2015 Nissan Sentra crossed the centerline of N.C. 39 and struck the truck head-on, causing the truck to run off the road and catch fire.

The Nissan Sentra ran off road to the right and came to rest on the shoulder. The driver, identified as Quentin Peter Greear, 42, of Louisburg, died at the scene. The truck driver was able to escape the fiery crash without injury.

Speed and drug impairment were believed to be contributing factors in the crash. Since the driver of the Nissan died, no one will face charges.

Multiple firefighters responded to the crash. Antioch Fire Chief Kendall Hocutt said there was a large fire in the woods near the crash, but firefighters were able to control it before it spread farther.

"We were able to control it with foam," he said. "We had dikes in place with sand and dikes in the ditches to try to control the runoff."

People who live near the area, like Matt Gore, said they'd never seen anything like it.

"I told my wife, 'I think it's a house fire,'" he said. "But now that I'm over here, I can tell it's a whole different story."

Environmental Protection Agency was notified of the gasoline and diesel spill and fire, which damaged several nearby properties.

N.C. 39 and Meadowbrook Lane were closed for several hours while hazmat crews cleaned the scene.