PRINCETON, NORTH CAROLINA — A crash involving a tractor-trailer hauling logs and a Kia passenger car shut down eastbound U.S. 70 near Princeton for hours Friday afternoon after the log truck overturned and spilled its load across the highway.

The wreck was reported at about 12:45 p.m. on U.S. 70 eastbound near Barden Street and Old Rock Quarry Road, just northwest of Princeton. Authorities said both vehicles were traveling east when the Kia driver attempted to turn left at Barden Street and collided with the log truck.

Emergency responders said the impact was severe enough that the Kia’s engine was knocked out of the vehicle. After the collision, the log truck flipped onto its side, scattering logs across the eastbound lanes. Several logs were also reported to have entered the truck’s cab area.

^{Photo credit: Johnston County Report}

Despite the heavy damage, injuries were not life-threatening. Officials reported the Kia driver suffered minor injuries, while other responders indicated both drivers were taken to the hospital for evaluation. The log truck driver was reported not injured by highway patrol.

Eastbound U.S. 70 was closed while crews worked the scene and cleared the roadway. The North Carolina Department of Transportation responded and began stacking the logs along the side of the road, with the trucking company expected to retrieve the logs on Saturday. One report said the highway was expected to reopen around 6 p.m., while another update said the road reopened just before 4:45 p.m. after crews cleared the crash area.

^{Photo credit: Princeton Volunteer Fire Department}

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash. For causing the collision, the Kia driver was cited for unsafe movement. Responders at the scene included the Princeton Fire Department, Johnston County EMS, NCDOT, and the N.C. State Highway Patrol.

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