Orange County, NC (January 1, 2025) – A tragic accident claimed the life of one person on Interstate 40 early Tuesday morning when they were struck by another vehicle while attending to a flat tire. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to the scene of the collision near the interchange with NC-86, north of Chapel Hill, at approximately 4:38 AM.
According to investigators, the driver of a white passenger vehicle had partially parked in the eastbound lane of I-40 due to a flat tire. While attempting to change the flat on the left side of the vehicle, the individual was struck by an eastbound SUV. The driver of the disabled vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the SUV remained at the scene and was uninjured.
Authorities have not yet released identifying information about the victim or the SUV driver. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol has not announced any charges related to the collision, and the investigation remains ongoing. Eastbound I-40 was closed for approximately two hours during the emergency response and initial investigation, reopening to normal traffic around 7:10 AM.