CHICAGO — A truck driver who was texting while driving triggered a devastating multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 95 in North Carolina, killing five people and causing a fiery wreck that shut down traffic for hours, according to a new report from the National Transportation Safety Board.
The crash occurred on July 24, 2024, near Kenly in Johnston County, just outside Raleigh. The driver, Charles Haskell, 51, of Las Vegas, failed to stop in a marked construction zone queue, crashing into several vehicles and igniting a fire that engulfed two SUVs and two tractor-trailers.
Driver Was Distracted by Phone Before Crash
The NTSB report found that Haskell had just received a text message seconds before the crash and showed no signs of braking or slowing down. His Freightliner truck slammed into a Chevy Tahoe, then a Toyota RAV4, pushing them into other vehicles before erupting into flames.
All five victims were inside the RAV4 and Tahoe. They were identified as Edward Carroll Davis, Martha Warren Davis, Linda Warren Whitehurst, William Carroll Tucker, and Elizabeth Sharon Tucker. Their families have been notified.
The tragic details were first confirmed by ABC11 Raleigh-Durham and News & Observer.
Legal Charges Filed Against Driver
After being treated for minor injuries at Wilson Medical Center, Haskell was charged with five counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and taken into custody on a $25,000 secured bond. Authorities said no drugs or alcohol were involved, but the crash was caused by speed and distracted driving.
Officials also confirmed that Haskell has a prior DUI conviction, raising concerns about commercial driver monitoring.
Safety in Work Zones Under Scrutiny
The accident happened in a work zone flagged by temporary signage, yet Haskell made no attempt to slow down. According to the NTSB, the driver’s lack of awareness and cell phone use created a fatal chain reaction — a scenario that’s becoming more common across U.S. highways.
Investigators are expected to release safety recommendations later this year, likely focused on reducing cell phone use among commercial truck drivers, especially in high-risk zones.
NTSB Pushing for Stricter Technology Policies
In its initial findings, the NTSB emphasized the need for better enforcement of cellphone restrictions for drivers of heavy trucks. They also hinted at proposing technology-based solutions to automatically warn or disable phones in commercial vehicles approaching construction zones.
In the meantime, the community continues to mourn the five lives lost in a crash that might have been prevented with more caution and compliance.
Do you think work zone safety needs stronger rules — or better enforcement? Join the conversation now at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
