At 5:55 a.m., a tragic deadly crash unfolded on Highway 13 near Frog Level Road in Pitt County, North Carolina. According to reports from Highway Patrol and local authorities, the crash happened when a Nissan passenger vehicle driven by Dustin Myatt crossed into the center lane and collided head-on with a box truck. His wife, identified in some records as Sterling Mayor Myatt, was also in the vehicle. Both individuals from Snow Hill died at the scene.
The driver of the box truck, Benjaman Lee Johnson, was transported to ECU Health Medical Center in Greenville for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening. Greenville police and the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office assisted the State Highway Patrol with the initial crash investigation.
Safety Concerns
Investigators pointed to lane control issues and no restraint use as contributing factors. The absence of seat belts, according to Highway Patrol, likely worsened the outcome. Situations like this highlight the importance of road safety, proper restraints, and awareness of risk during early hours.
First responders noted that the quick emergency response helped save the life of the injured person, though tragically not the couple.
Community Impact
The deaths of Dustin Myatt and his wife shook the Snow Hill and Pitt County communities. Friends, neighbors, and local authorities mourned the loss, while some compared the tragedy to other incidents, including a motorcycle crash, a dump truck collision, or a pedestrian crash in the region.
Memorials across North Carolina often remind drivers of how quickly life can change. Similar tragedies, such as the Pedestrian Struck Fatal Crash reported recently by CBS News, underline how fragile safety is on our roadways.
Broader Comparisons
While the Pitt County crash is local, other states have faced parallel tragedies. Reports from the Pennsylvania State Police, Indiana Borough Police, Kansas Highway Patrol, Kentucky State Police, and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office detail serious wrecks. In Indiana County, hospitals like Indiana Regional Medical Center and Conemaugh Memorial Hospital treat victims of severe vehicle collisions.
Elsewhere, the Garrard County Sheriff’s Office in GARRARD County, Kentucky, has responded to deadly wrecks on Old Lexington Road and US 27. Crashes near 135th Street West, K-42 and Tyler, and the Harvey-Butler County line have been reported by the Kansas Highway Patrol.
Even waterways like Lake Pontchartrain and routes such as U.S. 13, U.S. 160, and 29th Street North appear in fatal wreck records.
Personal Names in Tragic Records
Similar to Dustin Myatt and Sterling Mayor Myatt, names like Paula Gribble, Enrique Reyes, David Lever, and Joseph McNeil appear in crash reports across the South. Some involved pedestrian crashes, others a motorcycle crash or vehicle collision with a dump truck. Each name is a reminder of how real people suffer when roadway tragedies occur.
Hospitals and Health Concerns
In the Pitt County case, Benjaman Lee Johnson was stabilized at ECU Health Medical Center. Elsewhere, patients from severe wrecks are rushed to UK Hospital, East Carolina University facilities, or hospitals like Indiana Regional Medical Center.
Broader health risks sometimes complicate recovery. For instance, outbreaks of Legionnaires’ disease, traced to Legionella bacteria in air conditioning systems, have been treated at hospitals like Conemaugh Memorial Hospital.
Unusual Mentions
News cycles often mix unrelated but eye-catching stories with tragic crash reports. Items such as Powerball tickets or a record Powerball jackpot make headlines the same day as reports of a traffic accident. Odd terms like Sea sawdust, mentions of Ayden-Grifton’s volleyball team, or features on the Camels of Campbell University have appeared alongside crash coverage.
Cultural memory pieces, like the Woolworth’s lunch counter or a local Real estate agent profile, sometimes appear in local papers near coverage of a deadly crash.
Even unusual figures, such as a paranormal investigator, or crimes like a triple murder or statutory rape case, have appeared in regional dockets beside crash cases.
Law Enforcement Coordination
The Highway Patrol worked alongside the Pitt County Sheriff’s Office, Greenville police, and state agencies during the Pitt County crash. In other states, cooperation extends to agencies like the Garrard County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Highway Patrol, and Kentucky State Police.
Summaries like the DWI Roundup show how impaired driving still leads to countless vehicle collisions. Programs run by State Highway Patrol agencies remain critical to lowering fatalities.
Commercial Stops and Safety
Tragedies also occur near businesses. Reports cite wrecks near Love’s Travel Stop, the Rocky Top Food Market Shell station, and even near Lyons High School. Each traffic accident or pedestrian crash brings fresh demands for prevention.
Closing the Loop
As the crash investigation continues, officials hope findings will bring lessons for future road safety measures. Whether on Philadelphia Street, North 9th Street, or Old Lexington Road, every vehicle collision reminds us of the need for vigilance. The Pitt County incident shows that a deadly crash can occur in seconds. Highway Patrol urges drivers to wear restraints, respect lane control, and avoid becoming another statistic in the long list of tragedies on North Carolina roads.
