The Daily News Top Stories of 2022 #1: 2 Marines dead after vehicle turns over near Camp Lejeune
The Daily News is taking a look back at the top stories of 2022.
Two Marines were killed, and 17 others injured back in January after a 7-ton military truck rolled over on a busy coastal North Carolina highway in Onslow County.
19-year-old Marine Louis Barrera was charged in the incident as the driver. The story rocked the community and made national news.
Two stories covering this incident received over 26,000 online page views and is the biggest story to hit The Jacksonville Daily News in 2022. Check out the full coverage, reported by Calvin Shomaker and Morgan Starling, below.
Two Marines dead, 17 injured after 7-ton tactical vehicle turns over near Camp Lejeune (published January 19, 2022)
A 19-year-old Marine is facing charges after operating a 7-ton military truck that rolled over on a busy coastal North Carolina highway around 1 p.m. on January 19 in southern Onslow County, resulting in the deaths of two Marines and injuries to 17 others.
Louis Barrera was driving the tactical vehicle when he attempted to make a right turn onto US 17 from NC 210 near Sneads Ferry when the truck overturned into the median and ejected 17 passengers out of the back of the vehicle, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) said.
“A second military vehicle being operated behind the initial vehicle was unable to come to a stop and struck one of the ejected passengers,” NCSHP said in a news release. “The drivers and occupants of the vehicles are members of the United States Marine Corps operating out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.”
All casualties were active-duty service members from 2nd Marine Logistics Group (MLG), which is under Camp Lejeune’s II Marine Expeditionary Force, the unit announced in a news release.
A total of 15 Marines were transported to the hospital by ground in stable condition, while two were flown to a regional hospital in critical condition, according to the news releases.
Barrera has been charged with one count of exceeding a safe speed and two counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, NCSHP said.
2nd MLG said the vehicle was a medium tactical vehicle replacement primarily used to transport troops and equipment. The names of the deceased, who were pronounced dead at the scene, will be withheld until 24 hours after next of kin are notified, the unit said.
Gov. Roy Cooper published the following statement: “I send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the U.S. Marines who lost their lives in a tragic accident today in Onslow County. We are so proud of our military heroes at Camp Lejeune and across North Carolina. Our prayers go out to them.”
An investigation is ongoing.
For further updates, follow the 2nd MLG Twitter page.
Names of Camp Lejeune Marines killed in 7-ton rollover released (published January 21, 2022)
The names of the two U.S. Marines killed in a tactical vehicle rollover wreck have been released.
Louis Barrera, 19, was driving the vehicle when he attempted to make a right turn onto US 17 from NC 210 near Sneads Ferry when the truck overturned into the median and ejected multiple passengers out of the back of the vehicle, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) said.
According to a release out of Camp Lejeune, 2nd Marine Logistics Group said the two deceased marines are Marine Corps Lance Corporal Jonathan E. Gierke, 19, of Lawrenceville, Georgia and Marine Corps Private First Class Zachary W. Riffle, 18, from Kingwood, West Virginia.
Both Lance Cpl. Gierke and Pfc. Riffle were landing support specialists with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, Combat Logistics Regiment 2 and 2nd Marine Logistics Group.
Both men were pronounced dead at the scene.
According to 2nd Marine Logistics Group, both men entered active-duty service in March 2021, and both had received the National Defense and Global War on Terrorism Service Medals.
Two patients still remain at the New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, where they are listed in stable condition, the release said. One other remains at Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune where they are also in stable condition.
"All other injured Marines have been discharged from medical care and have returned to their parent commands," according to the release.
Brig. Gen. Forrest C. Poole III, commanding general of 2nd Marine Logistics Group, said that his "sincerest heartfelt condolences are extended to the family, friends, and colleagues of the Marines who lost their lives or were injured in Wednesday’s vehicle mishap.
“Our commanders, chaplains and medical providers are diligently supporting our Marines and Sailors during this time. We deeply appreciate all of the thoughtful community messages we have received over the past several days.”
All questions pertaining to the ongoing traffic investigation may be referred to 1st Sgt. Christopher Knox, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, piooffice@ncdps.gov or 984-349-6577.
Further updates can be found at 2nd Marine Logistics Group's twitter page at @2ndMLG.
This article originally appeared on The Daily News: The Daily News Top Stories of 2022 #1: 2 Marines dead after vehicle turns over near Camp Lejeune
