http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1223744/

Suspected Driver Apprehended After Fatal Wreck

Tellez Diaz

Posted: Today at 12:22 p.m.

Updated: 39 minutes ago
Angier — A Johnston County man sought in connection with a fatal accident Sunday night was apprehended at his home Monday evening, authorities said.

Tellez Diaz, 31, is considered a person of interest in the wreck, which killed the driver and passenger in a tractor-trailer, authortiies said.

The two victims were burned beyond recognition in the fiery crash, and authorities hadn't identified them by Monday evening.

A Ford Contour ran a stop sign at N.C. Highway 210 and Plainview Church Road and broadsided a tractor-trailer at about 7 p.m. Sunday, authorities said. The truck then veered off the road, overturned and caught fire.
Some nearby residents said they thought the truck driver swerved to avoid direct impact.

"In this case, it seems that he sacrificed his own life to try to save somebody in that car that he didn't even know," said Shaw Fish, who lives near the crash scene.
One person in the Ford Contour fled the scene on foot. A woman and a the man who owned the car remained at the scene and told authorities what happened.
The two people, who claimed they were passengers, suffered minor injuries but weren't taken to a hospital, authorities said.
Diaz was apprehended near his home by state troopers and was taken to a Johnston County magistrate's office. It was unclear Monday evening what charges he might face.
He was convicted of drunken driving in 2005 and has a suspended license, authorities said.
"At this time, no one has been ruled out (as the driver of the car). We're still investigating," Trooper Derrock Mobley said.
Authorities said they believe alcohol played a role in the wreck.
Ronnie Fish called 911 after heaing the crash outside his house. He said other collisions have occurred at the intersection, but they weren't nearly as bad as the one Sunday night.
"A neighbor heard it, and he came out here with his fire extinguisher and he did what he could. But it wasn't much help for the people in the truck," Fish said.
A state Department of Transportation crew replaced the intersection's stop sign Monday morning. The old one was covered with black spray paint, but troopers said they don't believe that contributed to the accident.
"One of the passengers made the comment that they started slowing down for the stop sign and the guy was, like, 'I think I can make it,' and he pulled out in front of the tractor-trailer," Mobley said.
Reporter: Mike Charbonneau
Web Editor: Matthew Burns
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