Seven people died in a three-vehicle crash near Pembroke in Robeson County on Thursday evening.
The crash occurred on NC 711 around 6 p.m.
A North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) investigation revealed that two vehicles were traveling west on NC 711 with a third vehicle traveling east on NC 711. Vehicle 1 traveled left of the center line in attempt to pass vehicle 2 and sideswiped them in the process. Vehicle 1 then collided with vehicle 3. Vehicle 1 then caught fire after traveling off the road and coming to the edge of a swamp. Vehicle 3 went off the road and also stopped near the edge of a swamp. Three people in vehicle 1 were ejected.
The driver of vehicle 2 did not stay at the scene.
Seven people, all of whom were traveling in vehicle 1, died at the scene of the crash. None of the seven were identified in a release from NCSHP. The driver of vehicle 3 had non-life-threatening injuries.
The investigation is ongoing. Weather is not believed to be a factor in the crash.
