TROUTMAN, N.C. — One person is dead in a fiery crash that happened early Friday morning on Interstate 77 near Troutman.
The crash happened just around 2:30 a.m. near exit 42. Channel 9 went out to the scene and saw multiple vehicles involved.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol said a man was driving a pickup truck southbound in the northbound lanes before colliding with a tractor-trailer.
Troopers said the driver in the pickup truck was identified as 31-year-old Eric Anthony Pompa of Layton, Utah. Pompa was wearing a seat belt but was ejected from the truck during the crash. He died at the scene.
The driver in the semi-trailer was taken to a hospital in Winston-Salem and is expected to be OK.
Troopers said they believe “impairment” led to the wrong-way crash, based on the initial investigation. No criminal charges will be filed.
Highway patrol said the northbound lanes were blocked while investigators were working to clear the crash. The lanes are expected to be impacted through the rest of Friday morning.
Video obtained by Iredell Firewire showed a semi-trailer engulfed in flames after the crash.
>>Keep updated with live traffic conditions at this link.<<
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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