‘Enjoy every second’: Family opens up after teen dies in wrong-way crash in Cleveland County

CLEVELAND COUNTY, N.C. — A 19-year-old teen died Friday night when a wrong-way driver crashed into her car on the highway in Cleveland County.

Autumn Johnson was heading home on Highway 74 in Mooresboro when she was hit by a 76-year-old driver going the wrong way.

Ken Lemon talked to the teen’s father, Clay Johnson, who said she was set to graduate from Crest High School in June, a moment the family was looking forward to sharing together.

“All the stuff you hoped for and the stuff you thought you were going to be able to see, (it’s) not going to happen now,” Johnson said.

That Friday, Clay said Autumn was headed home after helping a friend, when she was hit by the driver coming up the hill in the wrong direction. He talked to her just a few minutes before the crash.

Clay said nothing will ever be the same for his family, and shared a message with other parents.

“Every moment you have with your children is precious. Just spend as much time with them as you can. As they get older, it’s harder ... but enjoy every second you have because it could be over just like that,” Clay said.

The 76-year-old driver also died in the crash. Troopers aren’t sure where the Morganton driver got onto the wrong side of the road or why.

Another driver was hurt, but the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said she is OK.

Clay is now planning for a memorial instead of graduation, and Autumn’s schoolmates at Crest High School have planned a special tribute to her during the memorial.

The Johnson family asked all drivers to be careful so a crash like this won’t happen to another family.

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