Woman dies after three-car collision in Johnston County

A woman is dead after a three-car collision Monday in Clayton.

2023-06-27

According to Clayton police, officers were dispatched to US Highway 70 Business and Financial Drive in response to a car crash.

When officers arrived, they found three cars had been involved in the crash. Each vehicle had only the driver inside.

According to police, a 17-year-old was traveling in the left lane in a 2005 Toyota Camry on the eastbound side of the road. Witnesses at the scene said that the Camry and a black Dodge Ram were driving in an aggressive manner at a high rate of speed immediately before the crash.

The Camry then collided with a 2017 Toyota Rav4 driven by Joan Drake, 63, of Clayton. After the collision, Drake's vehicle flipped and hit a 2023 Honda CRV on Financial Drive at a stop sign.

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Drake died at the scene, according to police.

The 17-year-old was taken to WakeMed by Johnston County due to lacerations on his hand. His name was not released.

Police are investigating and reconstructing the incident, and additional charges are pending after the investigation is completed.