Driver charged after 2 Marines killed in N.C. crash

(NewsNation Now) — Two Marines are dead and another’s been cited after a 7-ton military truck from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune carrying 19 servicemen crashed near Jacksonville, North Carolina, Wednesday afternoon.

Sgt. Devin Rich with the North Carolina Highway Patrol told NewsNation affiliate WNCT that the crash occurred at about 1 p.m. when the vehicle was attempting a right turn and “lost control and overturned, ejecting the Marines that were in the back of the truck out into the roadway.”

A news release Wednesday night also said a second vehicle driving behind the truck was unable to stop in time and “struck one of the ejected passengers.”

State highway patrol announced Wednesday night Louis Barrera, 19, was charged with one count of exceeding a safe speed and two counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.

The two Marines who died were pronounced dead at the scene. Two others were taken to a nearby hospital and remain in critical condition. Another 15 patients were taken to the medical center at the camp.

The names of the Marines that died are being withheld until at least Thursday.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.