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By LANCE MARTIN

rrspin.com

PLEASANT HILL – Three people were killed Sunday morning in a single-vehicle crash near here.

Trooper D.L. Edwards of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said identification of the three is pending notification of next of kin.

The vehicle, a Chevrolet Impala, was reported stolen out of Clayton and a stolen firearm was found amongst the crash debris.

Edwards said the crash occurred shortly before 8 a.m. on Highway 48 near McElroy Truck Lines, located just east of the I-95 interchange.

The vehicle was traveling northeast on Highway 48 when it off the road to the right. The vehicle struck a tree and burst into flames. The three occupants were ejected from the vehicle.

Edwards said speed is a contributing factor as he estimated the vehicle was traveling in excess of 80 miles per hour in a 55 zone. The crash is still being investigated.

Gaston Fire-Rescue-EMS reported it was dispatched just after 8 am and found a sedan split in two and engulfed. The surrounding brush was also on fire.

Units remained on scene for nearly two hours and the highway remained closed to one lane of travel.

The Northampton County Sheriff’s Office, North Carolina Forestry Service, and Northampton County EMS assisted.

(Lance Martin is the Editor and Publisher of www.rrspin.com. Permission was received to publish this story.)