2 Marines killed in Camp Lejeune truck crash identified
The two teenage Marines were killed Wednesday when a military truck rolled over near Camp Lejeune in North Carolina have been identified.
Lance Cpl. Jonathan Gierke, 19, and Pfc. Zachary Riffle, 18, were identified Friday. Gierke and Riffle both joined the Corps in March 2021 and were members of the 2nd Marine Logistics Group.
“My sincerest heartfelt condolences are extended to the family, friends, and colleagues of the Marines who lost their lives or were injured in Wednesday’s vehicle mishap,” said Brig. Gen. Forrest C. Poole III, the group’s commander.
In addition to Gierke and Riffle, 17 Marines were injured when the 7-ton truck took a right turn too quickly and flipped over at the intersection of U.S. Route 17 and N.C. Highway 210 just outside Camp Lejeune.
Two of the injured Marines were airlifted from the scene and were in stable condition Friday. The remaining 15 soldiers were transported by ground to a different hospital. Fourteen of them had been discharged by Friday, one remained in stable condition.
The truck’s driver was identified as 19-year-old Louis Barrera. Barrera was charged with two counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. Investigators said the truck was traveling too fast for the turn, leading to the rollover. Another military vehicle traveling behind the truck was unable to stop in time and struck two Marines.
Gierke, from Lawrenceville, Ga., and Riffle, from Kingwood, W. Va., were both landing support specialists with Combat Logistics Battalion 24, Combat Logistics Regiment 2, 2nd Marine Logistics Group.
The 2nd Marine Logistics Group is headquartered at Camp Lejeune, which is the largest Marine base on the East Coast. Nationwide, it trails only Camp Pendleton, near San Diego, in size.
