John Foriest Obituary: 76-Year-Old Killed in Martin County Ambulance Crash

MARTIN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA — John Foriest, 76, died after the medical transport ambulance carrying him crashed and overturned on North Carolina Highway 11 in Martin County early Sunday morning, September 6, 2026.

The fatal crash happened near Council Road shortly before 2 a.m., according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

Foriest was being transported as a patient in an East Care Medical Transport ambulance when the vehicle left the roadway and struck a ditch culvert. The impact caused the ambulance to overturn multiple times before coming to rest partially blocking the highway.

John Foriest Killed in Highway 11 Ambulance Crash

According to investigators, the ambulance was traveling south on NC 11 when it ran off the right side of the roadway. It then struck the culvert, resulting in the rollover crash.

Foriest suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The circumstances of the crash remain under investigation as authorities work to establish the events that led to the ambulance leaving the roadway.

Nurse Injured in Martin County Crash

An on-duty nurse, identified as Emma Pridgen, was also inside the ambulance when the crash occurred.

Pridgen, who was riding in the rear patient compartment, suffered non-life-threatening injuries and received medical treatment following the collision.

The ambulance driver, identified by the Highway Patrol as 29-year-old Lauren Nicole McFadden, was not reported to have been injured.

Driver Charged After Fatal Ambulance Crash

Following the initial investigation, McFadden was charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle in connection with Foriest’s death.

The charge follows a preliminary investigation into the single-vehicle crash. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol said the investigation remains ongoing.

A criminal charge is an allegation, and the filing of a charge does not by itself establish guilt.

Remembering John Foriest

Foriest’s death has brought attention to a tragedy that occurred while he was being transported for medical care.

At 76, his life ended in a crash that also injured a member of the medical team accompanying him. Further information about Foriest’s family, personal history, funeral arrangements and services had not been publicly released in the initial reports.

As the investigation continues, additional information may become available regarding the circumstances of the collision and arrangements to remember Foriest.

John Foriest Obituary and Crash Details

Disclaimer

This article is based on information available from initial law-enforcement and local news reports concerning the Martin County ambulance crash. Details may change as the investigation continues and additional information is released. Funeral, memorial and family information may be updated when officially announced. The criminal charge described above represents an allegation and should not be interpreted as a determination of guilt.