A truck driver is being treated and a passenger escaped serious injury this morning on Interstate 95.

The single-vehicle crash occurred around 6:15 in the northbound lane near the 172 mile marker.

Roanoke Rapids Police Department Deputy Chief Andy Jackson said the driver of the tractor-trailer, Anthony Coe, 41, of Charlotte, went off the rode and collided into a stand of trees.

The impact caused the dashboard to cave in, pinning the driver. Coe and his passenger, a 39-year-old woman who was in the sleeper cab at the time of the collision, were extricated.

The passenger's full name was not immediately available, but Jackson said she was from South Carolina.

Being in the sleeper at the time of the wreck possibly saved her life, Jackson said, as the area of the cab where she would have been sitting sustained heavy damage.

Coe was being treated for injuries at Halifax Regional Medical Center and was cited for no operators license.

Jackson said Coe was eligible to have his commercial drivers license reinstated.

It was not immediately clear why Coe had lost his license. “It could possibly be for unpaid fines,” Jackson said, adding there was no record of impaired driving against the man.

Contributing factors to the wreck continue to be investigated.

Creekside Court call

In another matter, Sergeant Daniel Jenkins and Officer Patrick Smith responded to the Creekside Court area for a shots fired call Wednesday morning.

The officers observed a Jeep Cherokee in the parking lot.

The officers located a .32-caliber handgun underneath the passenger seat and charged 18-year-old Phaylen Smith of Roanoke Rapids with carrying a concealed weapon.

It is unclear why Smith was at the location. Jackson said officers were unable to determine whether he fired shots.

Smith was given a $2,000 secured bond and April 10 court date.