2 airlifted with serious injuries after crash shuts down traffic on I-40

DUPLIN COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The Highway Patrol said two people are facing life threatening injuries after an accident on I-40 Sunday night.

Trooper Benton said it happened on I-4o near mile 382 at Rose Hill around 8:00 Sunday night. Benton said Paisley Cookson, 23, of Wilmington was driving east when she rear-ended Jamie Smith, 27, of Willard.

Benton said the two cars went off the road into the median. He said both drivers were airlifted with serious injuries and transported to a hospital in Greenville.

Benton said the eastbound lane was closed for almost two hours.