Two hospitalized after head-on crash in Rutherford County; Coxe Road closed for 11 hours

Two people were hospitalized, and two roads were closed—one for 11 hours—following a crash on Wednesday, June 17, in Rutherford County, according to the county’s emergency management. At 9 a.m., a dump truck hauling asphalt, driving north on U.S. 221 South, hit a compact SUV head-on at the intersection of U.S. 221 South and Coxe Road, according to emergency management director and fire marshal for Rutherford County Frankie Hamrick. Hamrick said both drivers were taken to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center, one by ground and the other by air. The dump truck driver is in "good condition" but the SUV driver is in "serious condition" in the hospital, according to North Carolina State Highway Patrol Sergeant Andy Waycaster. U.S. 221 S was closed for three hours and Coxe Road was closed for around 11 hours, according to Hamrick. LOCAL NEWS Hamrick added that the crash has been cleaned up, but he said the North Carolina Department of Transportation is preparing to repair a guardrail, so be cautious in the area. NCSHP, which is investigating the crash, said it's still under investigation to find out the exact cause. The following responded to the incident: Rutherford County Emergency Management Rutherford County Fire Marshals Office Hazmat unit of the Rutherford County Emergency Management Response Team Foothills Spills Response Team LLC Rutherfordton Fire and Rescue Rutherford County EMS Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office NCSHP Several Rutherford County traffic control units Brad’s Wrecker Services Inc