A Marine was charged in connection to a crash Wednesday in North Carolina that left two fellow Marines dead and 17 other passengers injured.
Louis Barrera, a 19-year-old from Springfield, Tennessee, was charged with exceeding a safe speed and two counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, the North Carolina Department of Public Safety told Fox News. He was driving a 7-ton military vehicle when he tried to turn right but overturned into the highway’s median, ejecting 17 passengers who were in the back of the vehicle, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol told the outlet.
The Highway Patrol also confirmed that a second military vehicle behind the 7-ton vehicle could not stop in time and struck one of the ejected passengers.
FAMILY OF FALLEN MARINE SUES ALEC BALDWIN FOR DEFAMATION
A press release from the Marine Corps stated that the two who were killed were pronounced dead at the scene. Their identities are being withheld until 24 hours after the notification of their family, and the names of the 17 injured passengers are being withheld “in accordance with privacy regulations.”
Fifteen of the injured passengers are in stable condition and were transported to a medical camp at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, the Marine Corps said. The last two patients were reported to be in critical condition and were taken to a medical center in Wilmington, North Carolina, the press release said.
The 7-ton vehicle involved in the crash, according to the press release, was a Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement, which is used “primarily for troop and equipment transportation purposes.”
“I send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the U.S. Marines who lost their lives in a tragic accident today in Onslow County,” North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper wrote on social media. “We are so proud of our military heroes at Camp Lejeune and across North Carolina. Our prayers go out to them.”
I send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the U.S. Marines who lost their lives in a tragic accident today in Onslow County. We are so proud of our military heroes at Camp Lejeune and across North Carolina. Our prayers go out to them. – RC
— Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) January 19, 2022
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The Highway Patrol has not yet responded to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
