Six dead after wreck that sent two cars beneath tractor trailer and prompted five hour rescue

Six people are dead after two cars went underneath a tractor trailer, prompting a five hour rescue  in North Carolina over the weekend. 

The crash happened at 11:06 a.m. on Interstate 485 at Walkers Ferry Road near Charlotte, North Carolina. 

According to WCNC, 16-year-old Paul Sauer was driving a Honda CRV when he moved into the right lane and collided with a Chrysler van driven by 27-year-old Samuel Holmes. The initial impact sent both vehicles crashing into the side of a tractor trailer, where they became stuck. 

Five of the six people inside of the van were killed in the crash, including Holmes, a 23-year-old woman, and three children eight and younger. Sauer was also killed in the crash. A 16-year-old girl was the sole surviving passenger in the van. She was transported to the hospital and treated for injuries. The truck driver was not hurt in the incident. 

First responders worked in dangerous heat conditions to conduct the five hour rescue. The rescue involved lifting the tractor trailer in order to remove both trapped vehicles. The outer loop of I-485 was closed for several hours during this time. 

No charges are expected to be filed as a result of the crash, and troopers say the truck driver was not at fault.