RALEIGH - The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is investigating a motor vehicle collision in which a house was struck resulting in an explosion and two deaths.

At approximately 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 28, a 1997 GMC pick-up truck was traveling on East Stage Coach Trail near the city of Fallston when the driver traveled left of center and onto the left shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle then continued a short distance before striking a private residence where it resulted in a propane gas tank to rupture and explode. After the initial impact, additional explosions then occurred.

At the time of the explosion, a husband and wife were inside the home. Both tenants where transported to a local hospital where they were listed in critical condition but later died. The driver of the pick-up truck was able to escape with non-life threatening injuries.

The driver has been identified as Thomas J. Pruitt, 24 of Kings Mountain, N.C. The husband and wife have been identified as Johnie Newton, 74, and Naomi Newton, 76, of Fallston, N.C.

The investigation is on-going at this time and investigators will be conferring with the Cleveland County District Attorney’s Office as to possible charges.

For additional information, please contact Lt. Jeff Gordon, Public Information Officer at 919-306-7058 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or the Troop H District 4 Highway Patrol Office at 704-480-5409.