LOCUST — A six-vehicle crash at a busy Locust intersection Monday afternoon sent one driver to the hospital with serious injuries, according to authorities.
Officers with the Locust Police Department responded at approximately 4:26 p.m. to a multi-vehicle collision at the stoplight intersection of West Main Street (N.C. 24/27) and Red Bridge Boulevard.
According to a crash update released Wednesday morning by the department, the incident began when a box truck driven by Joshua Chrispin of Gastonia was traveling westbound on West Main Street and rear-ended a blue Buick passenger car that was stopped at a red light.
The impact triggered a chain-reaction crash involving four additional vehicles, bringing the total number involved to six. Authorities estimated total damage to the vehicles at approximately $50,000.
The driver of the blue passenger car was transported to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center Main with serious injuries, including facial lacerations, a possible concussion and a broken leg. Officials said the injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.
No other injuries were reported at the scene.
“The Locust Police Department is thankful there were not more serious injuries as a result of this crash, and we wish the injured driver a full and quick recovery,” the department said in a statement. “We would also point out this type of crash has occurred in many years past at this same location. None of the involved drivers were Locust residents, and there is no evidence that area growth or speeding contributed to the crash. N.C. 24/27 through Locust has for many years been a roadway with a traffic average of 30,000 vehicles or more daily.”
Chrispin was cited for failure to reduce speed; other circumstances that may have contributed to the crash remain under investigation.
Emergency responders from multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including Midland Fire and Rescue and the West Stanly Fire Department.
“Our department also thanks the response and immense assistance of the Midland Fire and Rescue Department and the West Stanly Fire Department in this incident,” the Locust Police Department said.
In a statement issued shortly after the crash, Midland Fire officials described the severity of the incident and urged motorists to use caution in the area.
“Midland Fire units, with assistance of the West Stanly Fire Department, are on scene of a multi-vehicle accident with extrication in front of the Walmart on N.C. 24/27 and Red Bridge Boulevard,” the department said. “Be cautious. Be sure to slow down. Be sure to be alert. Hold the phone calls and photos, please.”