Woman at Crash Scene Fatally Struck by NC Fire Vehicle

A woman at a multi-vehicle crash scene was killed when she was struck by a fire apparatus earlier this week.

The initial crash happened just before 4:15 a.m. Tuesday along N.C. 410 in Columbus County, near Tabor City, WECT-TV reports. A Nissan Armada SUV driving south crossed the center line, hitting a utility trailer that was towed by a Dodge pickup.

The SUV then struck a Nissan Maxima head-on, and both vehicles were hit a Ford Fusion. An 8-year-old passenger in the SUV and the driver of the Maxima were both killed in the crash.

A 58-year-old woman who had been in the SUV was laying on the shoulder in the high grass when firefighters arrived at the scene. She was fatally struck by a Tabor City Fire Department vehicle that was assisting the Roseland Fire Department with the incident, the Tabor-Loris Tribune reports.

Three occupants of the SUV, the driver of the Ford Fusion and the driver of the pickup truck were taken to the hospital with serious injuries, according to WECT.

The incident is still under investigation, and the medical examiner and investigators will determine the cause of death of the woman struck by the fire apparatus. The SUV's driver was charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.