By Doha Madani -
NBC News
A Marine has been charged with causing a crash that killed two other Marines and injured more than a dozen others when his military vehicle overturned in North Carolina on Wednesday, authorities said.
The driver, who is 19 years old,
was charged with one count of speeding and two counts of death by motor vehicle
, which are classified as misdemeanors, the state Highway Patrol said in a news release.
His 7-ton tactical vehicle was transporting a group of Marines from the Camp Lejeune base when its driver tried to make a sharp right turn onto a state highway from Route 17, the statement said.
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19 passengers were in the truck. Capture via NBC News
The vehicle used to transport equipment and troops overturned and ejected 17 passengers.
Another military vehicle following behind failed to stop and ran over one of the passengers who had been ejected, according to the statement.
The driver tried to turn right too fast and lost control, the Highway Patrol said.
Two Marines were pronounced dead at the scene, 15 others were flown to Camp Lejeune Naval Medical Center and two more were airlifted to Wilmington, North Carolina Medical Center, where they are listed in critical condition.
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The service members' unit, 2nd Marine Logistics Group, said in a statement that
it would not release the names of the victims
until 24 hours after their families were notified.
"2nd Marine Logistics Group will continue to support local authorities following this accident," the statement said.
“Our unit thanks all the first responders who provided help to our service members.
The cause of the rollover is being investigated," he added.