Kenly, NC (July 14, 2026) - Local reports and statements from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol confirmed that a passenger died and a driver suffered critical injuries when a commercial crane truck overturned on I-95 in Johnston County.

The crash was reported at approximately 4:02 p.m. in the northbound lanes near mile marker 106. The North Carolina Department of Transportation recorded the incident shortly after 4:08 p.m. near a truck stop in the Kenly area. Emergency personnel, transportation crews, and state troopers responded to the scene.

According to the preliminary investigation, a 2008 Kenworth construction crane was traveling north in the right lane when one of its tires ruptured. The tire failure reportedly caused the driver to lose control, leave the travel lane, and overturn in the median. The vehicle, which was carrying construction equipment, came to rest near a guardrail. Investigators said no other vehicle was involved.

The passenger, 47-year-old Felix Guadalupe Reta of Landis, died from his injuries. The driver, 46-year-old Wilson Jacob Brick of Granite Quarry, was transported to the WakeMed trauma center in Raleigh in critical condition. A later update did not provide additional information about his condition.

The crane truck was owned by Superior Walls Systems LLC. Troopers said speed and alcohol were not believed to have contributed to the crash. Based on the initial findings, investigators identified the tire failure as the only known contributing factor.

Authorities could not immediately determine whether either occupant was wearing a seat belt because the truck cab sustained extensive damage. The overturned crane blocked one northbound lane and one southbound lane while responders investigated and arranged for the vehicle to be removed. Closures were expected to continue until approximately 10 p.m.

An obituary for Reta noted that he had served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a family man. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol continued investigating the crash after the roadway response concluded.

How Commercial Vehicle Crash Investigations Move Forward

Incidents involving large commercial vehicles are often examined in greater detail after emergency crews leave the scene. Investigators may inspect the failed tire, review maintenance and inspection records, examine the vehicle’s mechanical condition, and evaluate roadway evidence. Information from the vehicle owner, witnesses, responding agencies, and available traffic cameras may also become part of the final report.

Although this crash involved a commercial crane vehicle rather than a passenger car, the follow-up process can resemble the review conducted after a serious car accident. Medical assessments often document the full extent of injuries, while information commonly discussed by a construction crane accident attorney may help explain how treatment records, commercial insurance policies, and vehicle maintenance documents relate to one another.

Early reports can change as investigators obtain inspection results, medical information, and additional records. The timing of those updates may affect when insurance carriers evaluate a claim and when families receive a clearer account of what happened. Preserving medical bills, employment records, insurance correspondence, and official reports can make later questions easier to address.

Legal Support After A Kenly Commercial Vehicle Accident

Once investigators and insurance representatives become involved, families may face requests for records while also managing medical care and personal loss. Attorneys can help organize treatment documentation, communicate with medical providers, review billing records, and confirm that injuries and related expenses are accurately recorded. Attorney Corey Rosensteel’s approach to client communication centers on a practical principle: consistent updates build trust because people should understand what is happening with their case and what steps are coming next.

Speaking With A Kenly Lawyer About What Comes Next

At Rosensteel Fleishman law firm, we assist individuals and families with the legal and insurance issues that can follow a truck accident. Our legal team can manage communications, collect relevant records, examine available evidence, and address questions about medical costs, lost income, insurance coverage, and responsibility for the crash.

Those affected by the Kenly crane truck accident may have concerns about the ongoing investigation, available insurance benefits, or how a commercial vehicle claim is evaluated. Reaching out to our firm can provide an opportunity to discuss those concerns, understand the available options, and place the legal details in the hands of a team focused on reducing stress for clients and their families.