Woman, 3 children survive crash in Johnston County; tow truck driver cited

A woman and three children survived a crash with a tow truck Saturday in Johnston County.

The crash happened around 11:30 a.m. on U.S. Highway 70 near Swift Creek Road in the Wilson's Mills area.

Police from the Wilson's Mills Police Department said a car and a tow truck collided, and both vehicles came to a rest in the median on U.S. 70. A woman and three children in the car were transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police said two of the children were rescued from the back seat by the tow truck driver and others before officers arrived.

The woman told police she saw another crash ahead and was slowing to a stop. She said she saw the tow truck approaching her car from behind and tried to change lanes to avoid a crash, but the tow truck hit the car from behind.

The tow truck driver said the driver merged in front of him.

According to police, the tow truck driver was issued a citation for failing to reduce speed.

Video from the WRAL Breaking News Tracker shows a red sedan and a large tow truck both involved in the crash. The sedan had heavy damage.