Hickory– On Sunday, May 11, at approximately 2:10 p.m., the NC State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision in Catawba County on NC 127 at US 321. A 1999 GMC truck, while traveling north on the US 321 exit 42 ramp, drove off the left side of the road and struck a road sign. The vehicle then crossed over NC 127 and collided with the guardrail.
The driver, Joel Parks Harris, 70, of Newton, was transported by EMS to an area hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The initial investigation indicates speed and alcohol were not contributing circumstances in the collision. During the on-scene investigation, the roadway was closed in the area for approximately one hour.