Teen killed, two injured in I-40 wreck

A wreck on Interstate 40 East at the Interstate 440 split killed a Randolph County teen and severely backed up traffic for hours Saturday afternoon, police said.

A 2006 Chevy Malibu, driven by Emily McKenzie, was traveling east in the left lane around 1:30 p.m. when a silver 2004 Pontiac Vibe, driven by Marcus Bridges, tried to merge into that lane from I-440.

McKenzie, 23, swerved right to avoid hitting the Pontiac and lost control of her car, police said. The Malibu crossed both lanes of traffic and struck a tree off the right shoulder of the highway.

McKenzie, her front seat passenger, Donella McKenzie, 49, and the back seat passenger, Morgan McKenzie, 17, all of Trinity, were taken to WakeMed.

Morgan McKenzie died of her injuries. The conditions of the other two women were not released.

Bridges, 19, left the scene. He was located later.

No charges have been filed.

Police closed I-40 East for about two hours while investigators were on the scene. One lane had reopened by 4 p.m.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash is asked to call 919-369-2365.