Update Aug. 28, 12:10 p.m.
The State Highway Patrol has identified all occupants involved in Thursday’s collision that occurred on Thanksgiving Fire Department Road in Johnston County:
Driver – Fermin Rodriguez Jr., 16, of Zebulon, NC
Front Right Seat Passenger – Jovanny Vargas, 16, of Selma, NC
Back Left Seat Passenger – Sergio Garcia, 15, of Zebulon, NC
Back Middle Seat Passenger – Ana Gonzalez, 16, of Selma, NC (Ejected)
Back Right Seat Passenger – Nora Garcia Zuniga, 16, of Zebulon, NC
Charges are pending as investigators continue their investigation into this matter.
RALEIGH - At approximately 2:45 p.m. on Thursday, August 27, state troopers responded to a one vehicle collision on Thanksgiving Fire Department Road, approximately 1/2 mile south of NC 42 East.
A preliminary investigation has revealed that a 2002 Acura 4-door passenger vehicle, which contained five teenagers, was traveling at a high rate of speed when it entered a curve and lost control. The vehicle traveled onto the right shoulder and then into a field where it rolled approximately one time. The vehicle then struck a utility pole which resulted in the middle backseat passenger being ejected.
The middle backseat passenger has been identified as Ana Gonzalez, 15, of Wendell. She was transported to Wake Medical Center and is listed in critical condition.
The driver has been identified as Fermin Rodriguez, 16, of Zebulon. Mr. Rodriguez, along with the remaining three passengers, were transported to Wake Medical Center with non-life injuries.
Excessive speed was the contributing factor in this collision. Investigators believe the Acura was traveling 80 mph in a posted 55 mph speed zone when it lost control.
Neither of the three backseat passenger were wearing seat belts.
All five occupants are students at Corinth Holders High School located just outside of Wendell.
Charges are pending in this collision.