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Smithfield grandmother killed, her 13-year-old grandson rushed to WakeMed after crash in Johnston County

Authorities said that a grandmother died and her grandson was hospitalized after a crash Wednesday evening on U.S. Highway 70 near Martin Livestock Road.

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JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. — Authorities said that a grandmother died and her grandson was hospitalized after a crash Wednesday evening on U.S. Highway 70 near Martin Livestock Road.

According to authorities, the crash happened when a transit van traveling westbound and a white SUV turned left into a church parking lot.

Authorities say Jean Thompson, 75, of Smithfield, is the grandmother who died and her 13-year-old grandson, a passenger, was transported to WakeMed as a trauma patient.

Reports said Thompson was taking her grandson to vacation bible school during the accident.

The Princeton Church put out a statement:

Please remember our community in your prayers as a family grieves the loss of a loved one this evening. We would like to thank all first responders and law enforcement who were incredibly quick and diligent in responding to the accident. Thank you so much for your prayers.

The transit van driver, Joseph Pavel, of Four Oaks, was also transported to the hospital with unknown injuries.

No charges were announced.

Emergency crews on the scene cleared out around 10 p.m. Wednesday.

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