A man was hospitalized Saturday evening, May 31, after his Honda Passport left the road and slammed into the woods in Eagle Springs, North Carolina. The car accident happened just after 6 p.m. near the intersection of North Carolina Highway 705 and Kennedy Road.

Reportedly, the man was driving a Honda Passport southbound when he crossed the center line and lost control. The vehicle ran off the road and crashed into several trees before stopping deep in the wooded area.

Emergency crews arriving on scene found the Honda Passport lodged in thick debris

Responders had to fire up chainsaws to clear trees and branches just to reach the SUV. They eventually cut a path to access the vehicle and prepared it for towing.

First responders said the driver was alone in the Honda Passport and conscious when help arrived. Paramedics took him to FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is investigating what caused the crash. Officials said alcohol is not suspected at this time, but they have not released any further details, the Sandhills Sentinel shared.

The Robbins Fire Department and Moore County EMS also responded and assisted at the scene. Crews stayed for a while to clear the wreckage and ensure the area was safe for passing traffic.

This stretch of N.C. Highway 705 cuts through a rural part of Moore County, where winding roads and dense trees line both sides

Crashes involving single vehicles running off the road are unfortunately common on these types of roads, especially in lower light or poor weather.

For now, investigators are still piecing together what led to this weekend’s crash. The driver is expected to recover. Authorities have not released his name.

The Honda Passport is a midsize SUV that sits between the compact CR-V and the larger three-row Pilot in Honda’s lineup

The model involved in Saturday’s crash was likely from the third generation, which has been on the market since 2019. It’s known for its roomy interior, strong V6 engine, and off-road-ready features like available all-wheel drive and higher ground clearance.

With nearly 8 inches of clearance and a curb weight of around 4,000 pounds, the Honda Passport is built to handle rougher terrain. However, it’s not immune to losing control if speed, distraction, or road conditions are a factor. 

While it shares a platform with the Honda Pilot and Ridgeline, the Passport trades the third-row seat for more cargo space and rugged styling. It’s a popular choice among drivers who want a family-sized SUV with a bit more adventure baked in.

Safety-wise, the Honda Passport typically comes standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced features like lane keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. Of course, even the most well-equipped SUV can’t fully prevent crashes when something unexpected happens. In this case, the driver’s lucky to have made it “out of the woods,” so to speak.