ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — Two people are dead and three are seriously injured after a crash involving motorcycles on US 220 in Rockingham County, according to North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
At 11:04 a.m. on Friday, the Madison Fire Department announced that US 220 was closed at Williams Road.
A short time later, Rockingham County confirmed that US 220 was shut down in both directions at Baggage Road and that it would remain closed “for a considerable amount of time.”
Troopers say the crash involved motorcycles and happened on the northbound side of US 220.
Five people were riding motorcycles on US 220 North near Williams Road when the crash occurred, according to investigators.
A 63-year-old King man was going north on US 220 in a 2005 Freightliner tractor pulling an open-top semi-trailer. An arm attached to the semi-trailer, which assists with overhead tarping of the load, was extended and caught an overhead utility line that ran across US 220.
Part of the overhead tarping system was ripped from the vehicle and landed in the road along with the utility line.
The driver didn’t stay at the scene of the crash and continued north on US 220.
Two people, later identified as Stephen James Matyas, 33, of St. Petersburg, Florida, and Megan Justine Brannon, 29, of Seminole, Florida, died as a result of the crash.
Three people were also taken to a local hospital with serious injuries, treated and released.
Investigators searched for a tractor-trailer with a white cab and a black trailer with an opening on top. The driver and vehicle were found on Friday evening.
Investigators are set to meet with the Rockingham County District Attorney’s Office later in the week regarding charges.
The tractor-trailer can be seen in these images provided from a local business’ surveillance footage.
Anyone with any information should contact North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
The investigation is ongoing.
