GREENSBORO, N.C. — A man driving a truck the wrong way on I-40 died after colliding with a minivan in Greensboro early Sunday morning.
According to the Greensboro Police Department, Oscar Gonzalez,59, was going the wrong way on I-40 in the eastbound lanes near Gate City Boulevard when the head-on crash occurred.
The driver of the minivan was identified as Elainia Koontz, 42. Police said the van also had 3 juveniles inside.
Elainia's husband Jason Koontz updated WFMY News 2 on the condition of his wife and 13-year-old daughter Nora from the hospital.
"It’s only by the grace of God, a miracle, and the manufacturers and safety features they were able to come out alive," Koontz said.
Both his wife and daughter had surgery on Monday.
"Currently my wife is in surgery having her abdominal sewed back up, she will also be having clavicle surgery," Koontz explained. "My daughter had surgery this morning and had some screws placed in her right ankle and a laceration on her left foot surgically stitched up so she's going to be knocked out for a few days but hopefully they'll both be recovering soon."
The two others teenagers in the car were family friends according to Koontz.
"One of the children of the East family had to be airlifted to UNC Chapel Hill, he was very critical but thankfully he's stable now and showing signs of improvement."
Koontz is a pastor at Westside Baptist Church in Lexington. He said his faith is driving his family's recovery.
"I give the Lord glory that he's seen my family through and everything will be alright."
He said his wife and daughter's recovery will take some time.
"Probably six months or longer before they get back to quote unquote normal."
In addition, police said a 2019 Audi collided with the rear of the Toyota minivan following the head-on crash, but the driver of the Audi left the scene.
Gonzalez was ejected from the Ford truck following the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
The Crash Reconstruction Unit is now conducting the ongoing investigation, police said.