(GDN) – It was a close call between an 18-wheeler and an SUV pulling a boat at the intersection of Highway 55 West and Grantham School Road near Mount Olive.  On Friday, April 29, 2022 firefighters from Smith Chapel and Wayne County EMS responded to the scene.  Officials say EMS workers attempted to assist the passengers involved in the crash, but they refused treatment.

A trooper with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol says the driver of the 18-wheeler failed to slow down in enough time to clear the intersection and ran off the road into the ditch trying to avoid a crash.  At the same time, the driver of the SUV pulling the boat was attempting to make a right turn onto Old Harvey Sutton Road and was struck by the 18-wheeler.  The area was closed for several hours as a wrecker worked to remove the 18-wheeler from the ditch. 

The driver of the SUV and boat is identified as Dannie Hamner of Georgia.  The driver of the 18-wheeler is identified as Carldale Sanders of Newton Grove.  Carldale Sanders was charged with failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident.  The truck is owned by Mad Duck Transport LLC, of Four Oaks.

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