I-95 Accident Strikingly Similar to Another

A deadly accident Friday afternoon on Interstate-95 in Harnett County has prompted the state to suspend all median-maintenance operations indefinitely. Two deadly wrecks occurred within miles of each other less than three weeks apart. Both were apparently related to N.C. Department of Transportation trucks working with one lane closed.

A pickup truck crashed into the woods adjacent to Interstate 95 Monday, killing the driver. Events leading up to the accident were very similar to those of an accident that left two Chesapeake, Virginia men dead two weeks ago.

A N.C. Highway Patrol supervisor says it is clear the state needs to suspend the weed-spraying operation. Monday afternoon, D.O.T. agreed.

Trooper John Bobbitt says the spraying simply isn't worth the loss of life.

Monday was the first day the road crew had gone back out to work since the January 15 accident. Some changes were made in the interim, including the addition of a third truck carrying a message board, but that was apparently not enough.

The maintenance work will not resume until a thorough safety review has been conducted.

The name of the man killed in Monday's accident has not been released. Police say only that he is a 58-year-old man from New York.