Over 1,000 Crashes Reported Across North Carolina Amid Snowstorm

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina State Highway Patrol reported over 1,000 traffic crashes statewide on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, due to hazardous winter weather conditions. Trooper 1st Sgt. Christopher Knox noted a stark increase from the 185 crashes reported just a day prior.

Among the most significant incidents was a tragic pileup on Interstate 40 West at the I-85 South connector in Orange County, where at least one fatality was confirmed. The Orange Rural Fire Department reported that the crash involved approximately 53 vehicles across 13 separate incidents, although initial estimates placed the number of cars involved at about 20 to 30.

At around 3:24 p.m., another crash occurred at the same location. A tractor-trailer collided with a vehicle, resulting in the death of 78-year-old Jerolyn Day Wilson from Burlington. The driver of the tractor-trailer, 44-year-old William Crowell Kellam from Spartanburg, South Carolina, has been charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and exceeding safe speed for conditions.

Orange County Emergency Management coordinator Kirby Saunders reported a total of four tractor-trailers were involved in related accidents, resulting in two jackknife incidents on I-85. Authorities transported six people to local hospitals due to injuries, while an additional 10 individuals were taken to a warming center for safety.

Witnesses described the chaos, with Melissa Perry, a resident of Orange County, stating, “I’m thankful to not be out there… my daughter was playing in the snow earlier and heard three really loud booms.” The area along I-40 West remained closed for several hours.

In Johnston County, a driver lost control of his pickup truck on N.C. Highway 39, crashing into a home. Thankfully, no one was inside, but the impact caused significant structural damage, prompting the inspector to classify the residence as unsafe.

Earlier in the day, a separate major crash on Interstate 95 near Exit 102 (Micro Road) led to the closure of all southbound lanes for several hours. The tractor-trailer overturned, spilling its lumber cargo across the highway. Traffic resumed around 3:30 p.m., with authorities reporting no injuries from this incident.

As the weather deteriorated, additional accidents persisted throughout Johnston County, including a rear-end collision involving a car and a fire truck on I-40 near Clayton. Fortunately, no firefighters were injured, and the car’s driver only sustained minor injuries.

“This serves as an important reminder—when driving in hazardous conditions, slow down, increase your following distance, and always move over for emergency vehicles,” advised a fire department spokesperson.

Further accidents occurred, including a head-on collision on Atlantic Avenue in Raleigh, where two individuals were hospitalized, one with life-threatening injuries. Person County Sheriff Jason Wilborn also experienced a collision as he lost control of his vehicle while responding to the snowy conditions, with no injuries reported.

Other notable crashes included incidents on Interstate 40 near Harrison Avenue in Cary and various locations along I-85, which continued to compound gridlock across the region.