Morganton – On Monday, October 23, at approximately 8:30 p.m., the NC State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision in Burke County on NC 18 near Zero Mull Road. A 2001 Ford F-250 was traveling south on NC 18 and was passing another southbound vehicle in a passing zone. As the F-250 was passing, it struck a bicyclist who was riding northbound in the roadway. The bicyclist was wearing dark clothing, the roadway was not lighted, and no lights were on the bicycle.
The bicyclist, Mark Anthony Mode, 43, of Morganton, NC, succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The driver of the Ford, Earnie Lee Hess, 48, of Connelly Springs, NC, was not injured.
The initial investigation does not indicate impairment or speed to be contributing factors. Possible charges are pending upon completion of the ongoing investigation and consultation with the Burke County District Attorney’s Office. During the on-scene investigation, the roadway was closed in the area for approximately two hours.