Benson, NC (June 26, 2026) - Authorities confirmed through local reports and police statements that one man died and another driver was critically injured after a head-on crash involving a cement truck Friday morning on U.S.-301 just north of Benson.

The crash happened at approximately 7:10 a.m. on U.S.-301 near the I-40 overpass. According to the N.C. State Highway Patrol, a northbound 2017 GMC Terrain crossed the centerline into the southbound lanes and collided head-on with a southbound 2022 Western Star cement truck.

After the impact, the cement truck traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a ditch, and caught fire. The GMC Terrain went off the left side of the highway and came to rest on the northbound shoulder.

Troopers identified the GMC driver as Draper Leroy Scott, 49, of Lumberton, North Carolina. Scott was taken to WakeMed in Raleigh in critical condition and later died from his injuries. The cement truck driver, Raymond Miles, 43, of Leland, North Carolina, was also transported to WakeMed with life-threatening injuries.

Investigators said Scott was wearing a seat belt. Troopers were unable to determine whether Miles was restrained because the cement truck sustained extensive fire damage. According to the Highway Patrol, speed and alcohol are not believed to have contributed to the collision.

Preliminary findings indicated that Scott’s vehicle crossed the centerline and was traveling left of center immediately before the crash. No contributing factors were identified for the driver of the cement truck. Because the collision involved a commercial motor vehicle, members of the Highway Patrol’s Motor Carrier Enforcement Unit responded to inspect the cement truck.

The crash forced U.S.-301 to close for several hours while crews investigated the scene and recovered the heavily damaged cement truck. The investigation remains ongoing.

Understanding The Process After A Serious Truck Crash In North Carolina

As investigators continue reviewing the circumstances of the crash, the focus often shifts to the records, reports, and administrative steps that help explain what happened. In serious roadway incidents, this process can include reviewing crash reports, vehicle damage, witness accounts, roadway conditions, medical documentation, and any inspection findings connected to a commercial vehicle.

A car accident involving a large truck may also involve more than one insurance policy, and those policies can contain provisions that affect how a claim proceeds. Families and injured drivers may choose to consult a truck collision attorney to better understand how commercial vehicle records, insurance coverage, and investigative findings may fit together.

In many serious crashes, responsibility is reviewed through a structured process rather than a single detail. Comparative fault questions, vehicle movement, lane position, impact points, and available witness information may all be considered as the larger picture develops. A careful review can help explain the sequence of events and identify what issues still need to be addressed.

What Families May Face After A Benson Car Accident

After a serious car accident, families often have to manage medical updates, insurance questions, vehicle damage, work disruptions, and uncertainty about the investigation. Legal teams may review both immediate needs and longer term effects, including medical care, lost income, future treatment concerns, and how official findings may influence a claim.

Rosensteel Fleishman law firm provides support for people who need help understanding what may come next after a crash. Our firm works with clients to review available records, explain the claim process, and help them make informed decisions at a difficult time.