Stretch of U.S. 321 became hazardous for 2 drivers

Rainy weather and a tricky stretch of U.S. 321 north near the Lincoln-Catawba county line was the scene of two accidents over the weekend that left two girls and their mother in critical condition and sent another car plunging down an embankment into a creek.

Two girls ages 3 and 11 were in extremely critical condition after being thrown from a Chevy Blazer driven by their mother, who was also critically injured in an accident about 9 a.m. Saturday, said Trooper Chris Cline of the N.C. Highway Patrol in Lincoln County. Cline identified the mother as Rebecca Walsh, according to WBTV, the Observer’s news partner, but did not identify the children.

Their vehicle apparently was in the left lane when it veered off the left side of the road between mile markers 29 and 30, north of U.S. 321 Business. The SUV rolled three times in the median before coming to rest in the upright position on the southbound side of the road.

Later Saturday in the same section of highway, a truck slid off the left side of the road into the median and plunged 60 feet into Clark Creek

Scott Triplett, 58, of Hickory, had minor injuries in the accident, which happened about 2:20 p.m.

Speed was not likely a factor in either wreck, Cline said. He urged northbound drivers to slow down when passing through the area. The road curves slightly to the right in that area, with a speed limit of 65 mph.

“There is a light curve,” he said. “There is nothing sharp. I think it sneaks up on a lot of people. Within the past three or four months we’ve worked multiple incidents right there.”

This story was originally published September 27, 2015 at 11:35 AM with the headline "Stretch of U.S. 321 became hazardous for 2 drivers."