Multi-vehicle accident involves NHSO van in downtown Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Police are investigating an accident involving five vehicles, one of which belongs to the sheriff’s office, in downtown Wilmington.

It happened around 12:30 p.m. near Third and Grace streets Friday.

Witnesses told police a Mercedes-Benz was speeding along the MLK Parkway towards downtown shortly before the crash happened. Police believe that same Mercedes-Benz struck the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office transport van that was stopped at the intersection. That impact triggered a chain-reaction crash with the other three vehicles.

A spokesman with the NHSO says no inmates were onboard at the time. The driver and passenger in the van were taken to the hospital, however their injuries are unknown.

A total of five people were taken to the hospital with injuries.