2 deputies hospitalized after cruiser collides with 18-wheeler in Union County

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — Two Union County deputies had to be taken to the hospital early Wednesday after their sheriff's office vehicle crashed into a tractor-trailer, officials said.

Tony Underwood, with the Union County Sheriff's Office, told Channel 9 that a driver traveling north on U.S. 601 just before 4:45 a.m. tried to pass several vehicles near a curve. That driver ended up hitting a UCSO cruiser, causing it to veer into the path of an 18-wheeler.

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Underwood said the cruiser and the tractor-trailer collided but that "miraculously," nobody was seriously hurt. The sheriff's office posted photos of the mangles cruiser on their Facebook page.

Two deputies in the vehicle were taken to the hospital but are expected to be OK, Underwood said. Officials said they will be out of work for at least a few days.

U.S. 601 northbound was closed between Lawyers Road and N.C. 218 for hours but reopened around 9 a.m.

The manager of a family restaurant was there when troopers shut down the road. She told Channel 9 she sees many drivers speeding in the area.

“Slow down. They need to slow down, especially in the morning. They come flying and cars come around you,” Sylvia Bell said.

Authorities said the driver who caused the crash will be facing charges.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this story.

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