GOLDSBORO, N.C. — A two-vehicle collision involving a 1999 Toyota and a 2011 Lincoln resulted in one person being hospitalized and another cited following a crash Thursday afternoon near the intersection of S. John Street and Spruce Street, according to authorities.
The incident occurred when the driver of the Toyota, identified by police as the operator of Vehicle 1, was traveling westbound and reportedly failed to notice the Lincoln, Vehicle 2, approaching from the south on S. John Street. According to statements made to police, the Toyota driver admitted to entering the intersection without seeing the oncoming Lincoln and said the crash happened suddenly, causing him to panic and flee the scene.
The driver of the Lincoln told officers at the scene that the Toyota ran a red light and collided with their vehicle at an angle, striking the front side of the Lincoln with considerable force. Emergency responders from Medic Four arrived shortly after the accident was reported and assessed the condition of the Lincoln’s driver, who was then transported to Wayne UNC Health Care for further evaluation and treatment of injuries sustained in the crash.
Authorities launched a search for the fleeing Toyota driver, who was later located by officers parked along the side of the road at the intersection of S. Center Street and Spruce Street — less than a mile from the scene of the crash. Officers confirmed that the vehicle matched descriptions provided by the Lincoln driver and nearby witnesses.
The Toyota driver was subsequently cited for leaving the scene of an accident and running a red light, both of which are violations under North Carolina traffic law. His identity has not yet been released by police pending further investigation.
A Dangerous Intersection?
The intersection at S. John Street and nearby corridors is known for high traffic volume, especially during afternoon hours. Local residents have previously raised concerns about visibility and right-of-way confusion at that intersection. While it’s unclear if environmental factors played a role in Thursday’s incident, the crash has reignited discussions among community members about improving signage and traffic control measures in the area.
Wayne County authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision. Officials have not released information about whether alcohol or distracted driving may have contributed to the crash, but they confirmed that additional citations or charges could follow depending on the outcome of the ongoing inquiry.
Reminder from Authorities/Update
In the wake of the incident, the Goldsboro Police Department issued a public reminder urging all drivers to obey traffic signals, remain vigilant at intersections, and never leave the scene of a crash.
As of Friday morning, the injured driver of the Lincoln was reported to be in stable condition at Wayne UNC Health Care. No other injuries were reported.
