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Driver charged after rollover crash kills 2 Marines, injures 17 in North Carolina

The driver, also a Marine, was driving too fast when the unit's truck rolled over, authorities said.
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A Marine was accused of causing a crash that killed two other Marines and injured more than a dozen others Wednesday when their military vehicle rolled over in North Carolina, authorities said.

The driver, who is 19, was charged with one count of exceeding a safe speed and two counts of death by motor vehicle, a misdemeanor, the State Highway Patrol said in a news release.

Their tactical vehicle, known as a 7-ton, was carrying Marines from Camp Lejeune when it tried to turn right onto a state road from U.S. Route 17, the release said.

The vehicle, which is used to transport equipment and troops, overturned, ejecting 17 passengers.

A second military vehicle couldn't stop before it struck one of the passengers, the release said.

The highway patrol said the driver was moving too fast for the turn.

Two Marines were pronounced dead at the scene. Fifteen more were taken to Naval Medical Center Camp Lejeune, and two others were airlifted to a medical center in Wilmington, North Carolina, where they were listed in critical condition.

The service members' unit, the 2nd Marine Logistics Group, said in a statement that the names of the dead would be withheld until 24 hours after their families were notified.

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