CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – A man has been charged after a multi-vehicle crash closed both lanes of an eastern Carolina bridge Tuesday morning and sent two people crashing. hospital.

The Town of Morehead City says the accident happened just before 7 a.m. and caused the closure of both lanes of the Newport River Bridge.

Zachary Thomas was charged with careless and reckless driving and driving while license revoked.

Anna Smith, the city spokeswoman, said Thomas was heading east on U.S. 70 and crossed the bridge at high speed in a 2003 Toyota. The 26-year-old Atlantic Beach man crossed the center line of the bridge and struck a 2020 Ram truck driven by Charleton Cunningham, 62, of Beaufort.

Officials say Thomas then went right, colliding with the bridge’s south railing before heading left of center and hitting head-on a 2005 Ford truck driven by Dannie Johnson, 61, of Beaufort.

Smith says the 2003 Toyota caught fire after the final crash and Thomas was able to escape the vehicle.

After the accident, Thomas and Johnson were both taken to Carteret Health Care, according to city officials. Thomas was later taken to ECU Health Medical Center with serious injuries. Johnson suffered minor injuries and was released.

Smith says the investigation is ongoing and additional charges could be filed.

The bridge reopened before 8 a.m. Tuesday.

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