Hephzibah Couple Among Five People Killed In Fiery Crash On I-95 In North Carolina

A Hephzibah couple is dead and a truck driver is facing manslaughter charges after five people died in a fiery crash Wednesday on Interstate 95 in Kenly, North Carolina.

The northbound lanes of I-95 were shut down for nine hours while emergency crews were on the scene.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol says a Freightliner tractor-trailer failed to reduce speed as traffic was slowing down and hit a Chevy Tahoe, a Toyota RAV-4 and two other tractor-trailers before catching fire.

Authorities say 72-year-old William Tucker of Hephzibah was behind the wheel of the RAV-4 and his wife, 66-year-old Elizabeth Tucker was a front seat passenger. They were killed in the crash in addition to all three occupants of the Tahoe.

One of the other two tractor-trailers involved in the wreck was driven by a 43-year-old man from Newberry, South Carolina. He was treated for minor injuries.

The Freightliner tractor-trailer carrying orange juice was driven by 51-year-old Charles Haskell of Las Vegas. He was treated for minor injuries at a local hospital, then charged with five counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. Haskell's record includes two Driving Under the Influence charges.

North Carolina state troopers said alcohol and/or drug impairment was not suspected in the crash, but the preliminary investigation showed that speed was a factor.

The National Transportation Safety Board has been called to join the North Carolina State Highway Patrol in investigating the cause of the deadly crash.