Charlotte, NC : Driver fatally struck and killed at site of car crash on I-85 Friday morning, October 21, 2016
Charlotte, North Carolina
The northbound lanes of I-85 were shut down for a few hours Friday morning due to a deadly collision.
The collision happened near Exit 32 to Little Rock Road and involved two tractor-trailers and one vehicle. One person died.
According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police, a car rear-ended a tractor-trailer and both vehicles pulled over to the side of the interstate. Officials said the tractor-trailer driver got out of the truck to check on the car's driver and was fatally struck by another tractor-trailer.
It's a devastating outcome with lessons for all drivers.
“The biggest thing I can take away with this one is, if you are involved in a collision the best thing to do is pull over to the shoulder, just like the tractor trailer driver did,” said Trooper Maher. “Don’t get out of your vehicle.”
NCDOT, who is responsible for maintaining the highway, said the streetlights were not working at that location near the Little Rock Road exit.
“Of course we never want to hear about an accident where someone loses their life, especially in this case where someone is trying to be a good Samaritan and help someone else who is need,” said Jen Thompson, NCDOT Communications Officer.
Thompson said that unfortunately the streetlights in that section of I-85 were out.
“This was something we were already working on before this incident occurred,” Thompson said. She added that the parts have been ordered.
They are working on it and want all drivers to heed the warning given by troopers responding to the crash.
“We don’t discourage people from trying to help, but we know that it’s probably safer to stay in your vehicle with a lot of traffic. Keep your lights on, your hazard lights on, and your headlights on,” Thompson said.
NCDOT officials said the streetlights on I-85 near the Little Rock Road exit should be fixed in the next couple of weeks.
As for the people involved in the fatal crash, troopers said the second tractor-trailer driver and car driver were taken to Carolinas Medical Center. Officials have not released the extent of their injuries.
The name of the victim has not been released.
Source :
Driver fatally struck at site of car crash on I-85