By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

The driver killed in a three-vehicle crash at N.C. 152 on Sunday has been identified as 48-year-old Rodney Shearer of Mooresville, N.C. Highway Patrol officials said.

The crash occurred at 5:15 p.m. near the Rowan-Iredell county line in front of Prospect Presbyterian Church and about 10 miles from China Grove, said Sgt. G.A. Barger.

He said Shearer was driving a 1970 Chevrolet pickup that crossed the center line and ran head-on into a 2005 Chevrolet Suburban carrying Joe and Jean Sloan of Olin, both 77.

Shearer and the Sloans were trapped in their vehicles until rescue personnel freed them.

Barger said a third vehicle, driven by Johann McCracken, 49, of Mooresville, ran into the crash.

Shearer was not wearing a seat belt and, according to a witness who contacted Highway Patrol officials Monday morning, Shearer was seen driving erratically before the crash.

The witness told Barger he had been following the pickup for some time on N.C. 152 and saw Shearer tailgating other motorists. The witness turned before the crash and said he heard the sirens afterward.

Officials don’t know if Shearer was impaired or if he had a medical condition, but Barger said there was definitely something wrong to cause the crash.

Both Joe and Jean Sloan were airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte with critical injuries. McCracken was not injured in the crash.

Trooper C.K. Ridenhour investigated the crash.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.