JOHNSTON COUNTY, NC (WNCN/WWAY) – The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office said a tractor-trailer driver was shot on I-40 West near NC 96 south of Benson.

The 59-year-old driver called 911 around 3:22 p.m. Friday. He was able to pull his tractor-trailer over safely.

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Authorities have arrested and charged 24-year-old Colton Kinsey. They said Kinsey was shooting a rifle on his family’s property, using an inadequate backstop. They also said he was shooting in an unsafe direction, toward I-40.

“I just heard bang, bang, bang, bang, I told the deputies,” neighbor Dalton McLamb said.

McLamb also said he was in his cow pasture at the time.

“Scareful because you know we live right here at 40,” McLamb said.

“I heard shooting. I mean, but they shoot all the time in the field though,” neighbor Tighvon Small said. The driver was rushed to WakeMed.

Investigators said the driver was shot in the neck area, and that he has a broken jaw. Still, he’s been able to communicate with detectives.

Authorities said Kinsey has been cooperative. They called it an accident, but told CBS 17 his actions showed negligence.

Kinsey has been charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.