Three people were injured after an SUV flipped several times on Highway 24/27 near Highway 22 outside of Carthage late Monday. One of the injured was airlifted to a trauma center from a landing zone set up at Pik N Pig.

The N.C. State Highway Patrol investigating the single-vehicle crash say the three were traveling westbound on Highway 24/27 in a Mercury Mountaineer when the driver veered off the side of the road while texting and driving. That’s when the passenger in the back seat grabbed the steering wheel and jerked it to the left. The SUV then flipped several times, and came to a rest on its roof.

All three of the occupants were able to escape out of the vehicle prior to first responders from Carthage Fire & Rescue and High Falls Fire & Rescue arrived at the scene. Moore County EMS transported the other two occupants to Moore Regional Hospital.

The driver was charged with multiple charges including DWI while under the age of 21.

Highway 24/27 was closed by Moore County Sheriff’s Deputies in both directions while crews investigated and cleared the scene.