OLIVIA, NC — A child died and two others were critically injured Friday afternoon in a three-vehicle crash in Harnett County. State troopers said the wreck happened around 3:30 p.m. along NC 24/87 near Olivia Road, close to the Olivia post office south of the Harnett County-Lee County line.
What Troopers Said
Investigators said a 2017 International tractor-trailer was heading north on NC 24/87 when it failed to slow for a 2026 Hyundai Palisade stopped at a red light. The truck hit the rear of the SUV, forcing it across the intersection and into a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe stopped in the turn lane facing south.
After the impact, the Hyundai went off the road to the right while the other two vehicles stopped in the roadway.
Victims Taken
The Hyundai’s driver was taken to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville with life-threatening injuries and then flown to UNC-Chapel Hill. An 8-year-old boy riding in the back seat was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 9-year-old girl in the front seat was also taken to Cape Fear Valley with life-threatening injuries before being flown to UNC-Chapel Hill.
Other Injuries
The driver, a passenger, and an infant in the Tahoe were taken to Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford with minor injuries. Troopers said the truck driver, David Allen Cuellar, 63, of Lake Station, Indiana, was not hurt…