1 seriously injured in wreck involving tractor-trailer in Catawba County

CONOVER, N.C. — A driver was seriously injured Friday morning in a wreck involving a tractor-trailer in Catawba County, authorities said.

Investigators search home where Conover mom of 2 was last seen a year ago

A car pulled out in front of the 18-wheeler at around 7 a.m.

The big rig, carrying wooden pallets, was still in the woods at 10:30 a.m., and Rock Barn Road was closed at Thornburg Drive in Conover.

The road reopened shortly before noon.

There have been 18 wrecks since the beginning of 2023.

People in the area blame speeding for crashes at the intersection.

The 18-wheeler ended up near Bob Ferber’s backyard.

“My first thought is that Jesus is working overtime to save these people,” Ferber told Channel 9. “I’m amazed that truck did not roll.”

First responders in Conover said they are very familiar with the intersection.

“This is the second accident in three weeks for a vehicle that has gone down in the woods,” said Conover Police Chief Mark Stafford. “Six folks worked on one car that extricated the victim out in 15-20 minutes.”

Police have placed a speed warning device near the intersection, but Channel 9 spotted several drivers traveling above the posted 45 mph speed limit.

Tony Stidham lives nearby and doesn’t take chances on his bicycle.

“They don’t pay attention to the lights, and they’re more concerned about their phones,” Stidham said.

Police said they are out there every day trying to get drivers to slow down.

Ferber has advice for anyone at the intersection.

“When the light turns green, you double-check both directions to make sure people aren’t rolling through that light because it happens frequently,” he said.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation has been studying the intersection and plans to add left-turn signals to all the lights here in the future

The road was shut down for nearly five hours after the crash.

The driver of the tractor-trailer got out and was taken to a hospital to get checked out.

The driver who was pinned inside the car had life-threatening injuries and is in critical condition.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.