Driver Charged In Military Truck Flip That Killed 2 Marines, Injured 17

A military truck driver has been charged in North Carolina after the vehicle he was operating flipped over, killing two Marines and injuring 17 others.

The incident took place while the vehicle was trying to turn onto U.S. Highway 17 from NC 210 in Jacksonville around 1 p.m. Wednesday.

"While making a right turn, the vehicle, it was a 7-ton military vehicle, lost control and overturned, ejecting the Marines that were in the back of the truck out into the roadway," North Carolina Highway Patrol Sgt. Devin Rich said, as per USA Today.

One of the Marines who was tossed out of the vehicle was struck by a second military truck that was following the first one.

Two Marines died at the scene and two others were airlifted to New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington in critical condition. The other 15 injured passengers were taken to Naval Medical Center at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.

The driver of the MTVR, 19-year-old Louis Barrera, has been charged with exceeding a safe speed and two counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, reported ABC News. He and another passenger in the front were the only two Marines who did not sustain any injury from the incident.

The medium tactical vehicle replacement involved in the incident is primarily used to transport troops and vehicles, according to the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol and the district troopers are investigating the accident.

"They are in the process of doing the measurements needed to attain a speed of an approximate speed that they were traveling. We do know it was a little too fast for the right turn that they were attempting to make," Rich said.

The deceased Marines were active service members and part of the 2nd Marine Logistics Group based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Their names will be released after their families have been notified.

"2nd Marine Logistics Group will continue to support local authorities in the aftermath of this accident," the 2nd Marine Logistics Group said in a statement. "Our unit is grateful to all first responders that provided aid to our service members."