Garner, NC (August 12, 2026) - According to local reports and statements from authorities, a fully loaded concrete truck overturned in the westbound lanes of I-40 near the US-70 interchange on Wednesday morning. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded near mile marker 306 shortly after 9:45 a.m., while other reports placed the time at approximately 10 a.m. Local coverage described the crash area as near Garner and also identified mile marker 306 as being in Johnston County.

Troopers reported that a tire blew while the truck was traveling west, causing the driver to lose control. The truck overturned in the roadway and spilled concrete across multiple lanes. The driver, Nero M. Lewis, 43, of Fayetteville, and passenger Jeffery L. Goodwin, 65, of Fuquay-Varina, were seriously injured and transported to a hospital.

I-40 West was initially closed between Exit 309 and Exit 306A. NCDOT directed motorists to leave the interstate at Exit 309, follow US-70 East, take Exit 326 to US-70 Business West, and then return to I-40. One westbound lane reopened at approximately 10:30 a.m., but the remaining closures caused traffic to back up for miles near the Triangle Expressway exit. Motorist Sara Mallion described vehicles as moving roughly one car length every five minutes during the standstill.

Crews spent several hours removing the spilled concrete and clearing the overturned vehicle. The truck was towed from the scene shortly after 12:30 p.m., and all westbound lanes later reopened. The State Highway Patrol said the crash remained under investigation.

How Truck Crash Investigations Can Affect Injury Claims

What begins as a highway crash may lead to several separate reviews involving law enforcement, insurers, employers, and vehicle owners. Investigators may examine the damaged tire, maintenance records, cargo weight, driver actions, roadway conditions, and physical evidence from the scene before determining what contributed to the rollover.

Although this incident involved a concrete truck rather than a typical car accident, injured employees may need to determine whether workplace benefits apply in addition to other available insurance coverage. A workers compensation claim attorney can explain how an employment claim may interact with questions involving vehicle insurance or another responsible party.

Claim evaluations often depend on photographs, witness accounts, medical records, inspection findings, and official reports. Reviewers may also examine whether the conduct of any person or company affected the crash. Fault questions must be evaluated under North Carolina law, and the conclusions reached during an insurance review may not always be identical to those in the traffic investigation.

What Garner Families May Face After a Serious Car Accident

Once the immediate facts are documented, injured people and their families often turn their attention to medical treatment, missed income, insurance paperwork, and the progress of the investigation. Regular updates can help them understand what evidence has been obtained, which issues remain unresolved, and what decisions may be approaching. This communication can be especially important when a work-related crash involves both workers’ compensation and vehicle insurance questions.

Discussing Your Options With a North Carolina Law Firm

Rosensteel Fleishman has built its practice around helping accident victims understand their options. When questions about fault arise, legal professionals review the conduct of each involved party and assess how North Carolina’s negligence rules may affect a claim. Our firm assists clients and families with gathering records, examining available coverage, monitoring the investigation, and understanding how different claims may relate to one another.

People affected by a serious truck accident may contact Rosensteel Fleishman to discuss the circumstances, the available information, and the issues that could influence their next steps. Our goal is to help families make informed decisions while they manage the medical and financial concerns that can follow a major collision.