Harnett County Crash Kills 1, Injures 8

HARNETT COUNTY, N.C. — A Saturday night collision involving a passenger van and a Honda on NC Highway 210 at Old Stage Road left one person dead and eight others injured. The crash happened around nightfall, and emergency crews transported the injured to local hospitals. The North Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the cause.

The fatal incident comes as the county continues to recover from a series of severe storms that pummeled the Triangle region. In nearby Fayetteville, powerful winds flipped cars and damaged buildings, leaving residents describing the scene as "unreal." Cleanup efforts were still underway when the deadly crash occurred.

Authorities have not yet released the names of those involved, saying next of kin are still being notified. Investigators are asking any witnesses to come forward. It remains unclear whether weather or speed played a role in the wreck.

This latest tragedy underscores long-running safety concerns along NC 210, a road that has seen multiple serious accidents in recent years. Local traffic safety advocates have repeatedly called for increased patrols and better lighting on this stretch of highway. Officials urge drivers to exercise caution, especially during evening hours and when weather conditions are poor.

Here are other top stories making headlines in Harnett County:

• A Campbell University student is facing charges related to an alleged mass violence threat. The university and police have not released additional details.
• A man sought in connection with a kidnapping investigation in Harnett County is now in custody, according to sheriff's officials.
• Flames engulfed a home in Harnett County last week, but the family inside managed to escape without injury.
• The debate over Flock cameras – automated license-plate readers – continues to intensify, with residents divided over privacy concerns versus public safety benefits.
• A Harnett County man is planning to buy a house after winning a $1 million prize on a lottery scratch-off ticket.

In addition, a local cattle farmer has received an unexpected financial boost from the temporary pause on beef tariffs, according to a report from the end of August. The pause has provided relief for livestock producers facing uncertain export markets.

Earlier this summer, the county grappled with a deadly shooting at a Dunn bar that left two people dead and two others wounded. The suspect, Keason Stocks, was arrested more than a week after the incident. Police had suspended the bar's ABC permit due to a history of violence at the location.

As the investigation into the fatal weekend crash moves forward, local and state officials are reminding drivers to remain vigilant on the road. Anyone with information about the NC Highway 210 collision is urged to contact the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

This article was rewritten on October 12, 2024, based on information available at the time.