Hildebran – On Wednesday, May 29, at approximately 1:50 a.m., the NC State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision in Burke County on I-40 West near Old NC 10 (Exit 118). A 2022 Volvo tractor-trailer was traveling west on I-40 and struck a pedestrian who was in the roadway. After the initial collision, the pedestrian was struck again by a westbound 2017 Toyota Camry. The pedestrian was wearing dark clothing and the roadway was not lighted.
In an attempt to avoid the pedestrian, the tractor-trailer swerved, drove off the right side of the road, went down an embankment, overturned, and struck several trees. The right lane is still shut down in the area as crews attempt to recover the tractor-trailer.
The pedestrian, Trenton Lester Kiser, 30, of Connelly Springs, succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The driver of the tractor-trailer, Melvin Eli Johnson, 35, of Hickory, was not injured.
The driver of the Camry, Koua Vavue Yang, 51, of Claremont, was not injured.
The initial investigation does not indicate impairment or speed to be contributing factors. During the on-scene investigation, the roadway was partially closed in the area for several hours and expected to be completely open in approximately two hours. No charges are expected to be filed in this case.