MARCH 26, 2015
NEW BERN, NORTH CAROLINA
New Bern police say the driver of a tractor trailer rig that
was involved in a fiery crash is in a medically induced coma.
The victim has been identified as Kirby Best, 42 of La
Grange.
New Bern police earlier released information that Best had
passed away.
Lt. Ronda Allen tells WITN they had some misinformation from
CarolinaEast Medical Center and should have verified it for themselves.
Best is at the Chapel Hill burn center in critical
condition.
Police say a car, driven by 57-year-old Larry Lawson of New
Bern, was trying to pass the truck on Old Highway 70 when it hit the big rig,
causing the truck to jackknife.
The truck became engulfed in flames and Best had severe
burns.
Lawson and a passenger were treated and released from
CarolinaEast Medical Center.
The highway was shut down for part of the morning because of
the crash.
Police say charges are pending against the driver of the
car.
Earlier Story
We have learned one person was rushed to the hospital with
burns after a tractor trailer and car wrecked in New Bern along Old Highway 70.
Craven County emergency officials said around 9:10 a.m.
Thursday, a tractor trailer and car wrecked near the area of Old 70 near
Highway 55, close to the Martin Marietta quarry.
The tractor trailer caught fire, according to City of New
Bern spokeswoman, Colleen Roberts. The tractor trailer was destroyed in the
fire.
Old Highway 70 remains closed to traffic.