When an 18-year-old driver ran a red light at one of Martin County’s busiest intersections early Friday morning, four people ended up in the hospital and a major state highway had to be shut down. The crash happened at US Highway 64 and NC Highway 171 in Jamesville around 6:00 a.m. on January 2, 2026, and the intersection remained closed hours later while crews worked to repair a damaged traffic signal pole.
According to WCTI NewsChannel 12, Thomas Marsh III of Hampstead was driving northbound on NC Highway 171 with two passengers when he failed to stop at a red traffic signal. His vehicle was struck by a westbound tractor-trailer on US Highway 64. Marsh and both passengers were transported to ECU Health Beaufort Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The truck driver was taken to ECU Health Bertie Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Marsh has been charged with failure to stop at a red light. The Jamesville Community Volunteer Fire Department diverted all eastbound and westbound traffic down Main Street while NCDOT crews worked to repair the traffic signal pole.
Over 26 years of handling North Carolina accident cases, I’ve seen how quickly a split-second decision at an intersection can change multiple lives. When you’ve got four people injured and a commercial truck involved, the legal and insurance issues get complicated fast. Let me walk you through what families need to understand after a crash like this.
What Happens When a Driver Runs a Red Light in North Carolina
Running a red light is a traffic violation under North Carolina law. When that violation causes a crash that injures people, it creates both criminal charges and civil liability. The driver who ran the red light is responsible for the injuries and property damage that resulted from their decision.
In this case, the 18-year-old driver has already been charged with failure to stop at a red traffic signal. That’s the criminal side. But there’s also the civil side, which is where injury claims come in. Every person injured in this crash has the right to file a claim for their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Here’s what makes this particular crash legally significant. You’ve got four injured people. Two passengers were in the vehicle with the driver who ran the red light. They can file claims against that driver’s insurance policy. The truck driver who was hit while he had a green light can also file a claim. So you’re looking at potentially three separate injury claims against one 18-year-old’s insurance policy.
North Carolina requires minimum liability coverage of $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident as of July 1, 2025. If this young driver only had minimum coverage and you’ve got three people with serious injuries, that $100,000 gets divided among all the claimants. That might not be enough to cover everyone’s medical bills, much less their other damages.
Commercial Truck Accidents and Federal Regulations
When a tractor-trailer is involved in a crash, even if the truck driver isn’t at fault, there are additional legal considerations. Commercial trucks are regulated by federal safety rules, and trucking companies are required to carry much higher insurance coverage than regular passenger vehicles.
In this case, the truck driver was the innocent party. He was traveling westbound on US Highway 64 with a green light when he was struck by the driver who ran the red light. But here’s something families need to know. Even though the truck driver wasn’t at fault, his employer’s insurance company will still investigate this crash thoroughly. They’ll want to make sure their driver followed all safety protocols and that there’s clear evidence he had the right of way.
Commercial truck drivers are held to higher safety standards than regular drivers. They’re required to maintain logbooks, follow hours-of-service rules, and keep their vehicles properly maintained. After a serious crash like this, those records will all be reviewed.
For the truck driver who was injured, he may have a workers’ compensation claim against his employer in addition to a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver. For the at-fault driver and his passengers, they’ll be dealing with both the truck driver’s injuries and the trucking company’s property damage claim for the tractor-trailer.
Passenger Injury Claims After an Accident
The two passengers riding with the 18-year-old driver have a legal situation that sometimes surprises people. Even though they were in the at-fault driver’s vehicle, they can still file injury claims against that driver’s insurance policy.
Under North Carolina law, passengers are almost never considered at fault for a crash. They weren’t driving. They didn’t make the decision to run the red light. Their injuries are the direct result of the driver’s negligence, and they have every right to be compensated for those injuries.
Here’s where it gets emotionally complicated. If you’re one of those passengers and the driver is your friend or family member, you might feel uncomfortable filing a claim against them. I understand that. But here’s what you need to remember. You’re not suing your friend personally. You’re filing a claim against their insurance policy, which exists exactly for this purpose.
Insurance companies will sometimes try to discourage passenger claims by suggesting it’s disloyal or inappropriate. Don’t fall for that. If you were injured because someone else was driving negligently, you have every right to have your medical bills paid and to be compensated for your injuries. That’s not being disloyal. That’s protecting yourself and your family.
The two passengers in this Jamesville crash were transported to the hospital with serious injuries. Those hospital bills are going to add up fast. If either of them has ongoing treatment needs, lost wages from missing work, or long-term complications from their injuries, they deserve to be compensated. The driver’s insurance policy is supposed to cover those damages.
Serious Injuries and Hospital Transport
When the accident report says people were transported to the hospital with “serious but non-life-threatening injuries,” that can mean a lot of different things. It might mean broken bones, internal injuries, head trauma, spinal injuries, or severe lacerations. The full extent of those injuries often isn’t clear for days or even weeks after the crash.
This is why it’s so important not to settle an injury claim too quickly. Insurance adjusters will sometimes call injured people within hours or days of a crash and offer a quick settlement. They’re hoping you’ll accept a small amount before you realize how badly you’re hurt or how expensive your treatment is going to be.
The three people who were in the vehicle that ran the red light all went to ECU Health Beaufort Hospital with serious injuries. The truck driver went to ECU Health Bertie Hospital. All four of them need to focus on their medical treatment first and worry about insurance claims second. Get the treatment you need. Follow your doctor’s orders. Keep records of everything. And don’t sign anything from an insurance company until you’ve talked to an attorney who can review whether the offer is fair.
Here’s something else about serious injuries. Sometimes symptoms don’t show up right away. You might think you’re okay at the scene, or even after the first hospital visit, and then a few days later you’re in terrible pain. That’s especially common with soft tissue injuries, back injuries, and head injuries. If you were involved in this crash and you start experiencing new symptoms or worsening pain, go back to the doctor immediately and make sure it’s documented.
North Carolina’s Contributory Negligence Rule
North Carolina follows one of the harshest rules in the country when it comes to injury claims. It’s called contributory negligence, and it means that if you’re even 1% at fault for the accident, you can’t recover anything.
In this Jamesville crash, the 18-year-old driver who ran the red light is clearly at fault. He’s been charged with failure to stop at a red light. His passengers weren’t at fault for anything. The truck driver wasn’t at fault. So contributory negligence probably isn’t going to be an issue for those three injury claims.
But here’s why I mention it. Sometimes insurance companies will try to argue that an injured person was partially at fault even when it’s not reasonable. They might claim a passenger should have warned the driver. They might claim the truck driver could have avoided the collision if he’d been more alert. These are usually weak arguments, but insurance companies make them anyway because North Carolina’s rule is so harsh that even getting 1% of fault assigned to the injured person wipes out their entire claim.
This is one reason why having an attorney who understands North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule is so important. We know how to fight back against these unfair arguments and protect your right to compensation.
What the Failure to Stop Charge Means
The fact that the driver has already been charged with failure to stop at a red traffic signal is significant for the civil claims. It’s evidence of negligence. When someone is cited for a traffic violation that caused a crash, that citation can be used in a civil case to show they were at fault.
Failure to stop at a red light is a violation of North Carolina General Statute Section 20-158. The statute requires drivers to stop at red traffic signals and remain stopped until the signal shows green. It’s a straightforward rule, and violating it is considered negligence per se in a civil case. That means the driver’s negligence is presumed. The injured parties don’t have to prove he was driving carelessly. The citation does that for them.
For the three people injured in this crash who have claims against the driver who ran the red light, this criminal charge makes their civil cases much stronger. It establishes liability right from the start. The main issues in their cases will be the extent of their injuries and the amount of damages they’re entitled to, not whether the driver was at fault.
Multiple Injury Claims and Insurance Coverage Limits
When you have multiple people injured in the same crash and they’re all filing claims against the same insurance policy, the policy limits become critically important. As I mentioned earlier, North Carolina’s minimum required coverage is $50,000 per person and $100,000 per accident as of July 1, 2025.
If this 18-year-old driver only had minimum coverage, you’ve got three injured people splitting $100,000. That’s about $33,000 each if it’s divided equally. But it might not be divided equally. The person with the most severe injuries usually gets a larger share. The others might end up with much less.
This is where uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage becomes important. If you were one of the passengers or the truck driver in this crash, check your own insurance policy. You might have underinsured motorist coverage that will pay additional compensation if the at-fault driver’s insurance isn’t enough to cover your damages.
Underinsured motorist coverage is required in North Carolina as of July 1, 2025, but some drivers may have higher limits. It protects you when you’re injured by someone who doesn’t have enough insurance. If you carry $100,000 in underinsured motorist coverage and the at-fault driver’s insurance only pays you $33,000, your own policy can pay additional compensation up to your policy limits.
For the truck driver, his situation might be a little different. Commercial trucking companies often provide insurance coverage or legal support for their drivers who are injured in crashes caused by other drivers. He should check with his employer about what coverage or assistance is available to him.
Intersection Crashes and Liability
Intersection crashes are among the most common types of accidents, and they’re often among the most serious. When two vehicles collide at an intersection, especially when one is a commercial truck, the force of impact can cause significant injuries even at relatively moderate speeds.
This particular intersection in Jamesville where US Highway 64 and NC Highway 171 meet is a major junction. US 64 is an east-west route that runs across the entire state. NC 171 is a north-south connector. Both carry significant traffic, including commercial trucks. That’s why there’s a traffic signal there, and why obeying that signal is so important.
When a traffic signal is damaged in a crash, as happened here with the signal pole, it’s evidence of the force of the collision. NCDOT had to close the intersection and set up detours while crews repaired the pole. That kind of infrastructure damage tells you this wasn’t a minor fender-bender. This was a serious collision.
For anyone injured in this crash, the closure of the intersection and the damage to the traffic signal pole are details that should be documented. They support the claim that the crash was severe and that injuries were likely.
What Injured People Should Do After This Type of Crash
If you were involved in this crash or any serious accident in North Carolina, here’s what you need to do.
First, get medical treatment and follow through with it. Don’t skip appointments. Don’t ignore your doctor’s instructions. If you’re in pain or having new symptoms, tell your doctor. Everything needs to be documented in your medical records.
Second, keep copies of everything. Hospital records, doctor’s bills, prescription receipts, pay stubs showing missed work, photographs of your injuries, the police report, and anything else related to the crash. You’re going to need all of this documentation when you file your claim.
Third, don’t talk to insurance adjusters without an attorney. The at-fault driver’s insurance company is going to call you and sound very friendly and concerned. They’re going to ask you to give a recorded statement. They might ask you to sign medical authorizations. Don’t do it. They’re not on your side. They’re trying to gather information they can use to minimize or deny your claim.
Fourth, don’t post about the crash on social media. Insurance companies routinely check Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms looking for posts they can use against injury claimants. Even innocent posts can be taken out of context. Just stay off social media until your case is resolved.
And fifth, talk to an attorney before you accept any settlement offer. Insurance companies often make quick, low-ball offers hoping people will accept them before they realize how much their claim is actually worth. Once you accept a settlement and sign a release, you can’t go back and ask for more money later even if your injuries turn out to be worse than you thought.
Filing Claims in Martin County
Personal injury claims arising from this crash would be filed in Martin County if they go to court. Martin County Superior Court is located in Williamston at 305 East Main Street. The court has jurisdiction over personal injury cases, and that’s where a lawsuit would be filed if settlement negotiations with the insurance companies break down.
Most personal injury cases settle without going to trial, but you need an attorney who’s prepared to take your case to court if necessary. Insurance companies are much more likely to make fair settlement offers when they know you have an attorney who isn’t afraid to file a lawsuit.
North Carolina’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases is three years under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1-52. That means you have three years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit. That might sound like a long time, but it goes by faster than you think. Evidence can disappear. Witnesses’ memories fade. Insurance companies delay. Don’t wait until the last minute to protect your rights.
Commercial Vehicle Accident Claims
Since this crash involved a tractor-trailer, there are some additional considerations beyond a typical car accident case. Commercial trucks are subject to federal regulations enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. These regulations cover everything from driver qualifications to vehicle maintenance to hours of service.
Even though the truck driver in this case wasn’t at fault, both sides are going to review compliance with these regulations. The at-fault driver’s insurance company might try to argue that something about the truck or the truck driver contributed to the crash, even though that’s unlikely given that the truck had a green light and was struck by someone who ran a red light.
For the truck driver who was injured, his claim against the at-fault driver should be straightforward since he clearly had the right of way. But he’ll want to make sure his employer’s safety records and his own driving record are in order, because those will be scrutinized by the other side’s insurance company.
Commercial trucks also typically carry much higher insurance coverage than passenger vehicles. Federal regulations require minimum liability coverage of $750,000 for trucks carrying non-hazardous freight. If this was a hazardous materials truck, the requirement is even higher. That means if the truck driver or the trucking company had any potential liability in this crash, there would be substantial insurance coverage available. But since the truck driver appears to be the innocent party here, that higher coverage doesn’t help the other injured parties.
The Reality of Multiple Injury Claims
When several people are injured in the same crash, there’s often a scramble to settle claims quickly before the insurance money runs out. This is especially true when the at-fault driver has minimum coverage. Insurance companies will sometimes try to pressure injured people into settling fast by suggesting that if they wait, there won’t be any money left.
Don’t fall for this tactic. North Carolina has rules about how insurance proceeds are distributed when there are multiple claimants. The insurance company can’t pay one person and leave nothing for the others. If the policy limits aren’t enough to cover everyone’s claims, the money is divided proportionally based on the damages each person suffered.
What this means practically is that the person with the most serious injuries gets a larger share, and people with less serious injuries get smaller shares. It’s not always equal, but it’s supposed to be fair based on the actual damages.
If you’re one of the people injured in this crash, don’t let an insurance company rush you into settling. Your injuries might be more serious than you initially realized. Your medical bills might be higher than you expected. You might have complications or need additional treatment. You’re entitled to compensation for all of your damages, not just what you can see in the first few days after the crash.
When You Need an Attorney
You might be wondering when you should hire an attorney after an accident like this. Here’s my answer. The sooner the better. Here’s why.
Insurance companies start working on these cases immediately. They send investigators to the crash scene. They interview witnesses. They pull medical records. They review police reports. They’re building their case to minimize what they pay you. You should be doing the same thing to protect your interests.
An attorney can make sure evidence is preserved, witnesses are interviewed, and your medical treatment is documented properly. We can deal with the insurance companies so you can focus on recovering. We can review any settlement offers to make sure they’re fair. And if necessary, we can file a lawsuit and take your case to court.
Over 26 years, I’ve handled hundreds of serious accident cases across North Carolina. I’ve seen how insurance companies operate. I know their tactics. And I know how to fight back against them to get fair compensation for injured people.
If you were injured in this Jamesville crash, or if you were injured in any accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you don’t have to figure this out alone. Give us a call at 336-221-8900. The consultation is free. We’ll review your case, explain your options, and help you understand what your claim is worth. You know where I am.
About This Article
This article is based on news reporting by WCTI NewsChannel 12 about a crash that occurred on January 2, 2026, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 64 and N.C. Highway 171 in Jamesville, Martin County, North Carolina. The investigation is being conducted by Martin County authorities. For updates on the crash investigation or road closures, contact the Martin County Sheriff’s Office or the Jamesville Community Volunteer Fire Department.
Legal Disclaimer
This article provides general information about North Carolina accident law and is not legal advice for any specific situation. Every case is different. If you were involved in this crash or any accident in North Carolina, contact an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your specific circumstances. Julian Doby is a North Carolina personal injury attorney with offices in Graham. Call 336-221-8900 for a free consultation.