A Vale man was killed in a crash in Catawba County on Tuesday. The deceased is 58-year-old Carl Douglas Ikard. At approximately 2:10 p.m. Tuesday, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to Startown Road near Settlemyre Bridge Road. A 2016 Nissan Frontier was traveling north on Startown Road, crossed the centerline, and collided head-on with a southbound 2020 Freightliner bucket truck.
The driver of the Nissan, Carl Douglas Ikard, was critically injured and transported by medical helicopter to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. He passed away from his injuries upon arrival. The driver of the bucket truck, a 51-year-old Concord resident, and a 35-year-old male passenger were not injured.
The initial investigation indicates the driver of the Nissan swerved to avoid stopped traffic. Alcohol impairment does not appear to be a contributing factor. All occupants were restrained by seatbelts. Startown Road was closed in the area for nearly three hours during the on-scene investigation.
Story: Rob Eastwood-WHKY