NORMAN — State troopers are still working to identify a driver killed in a head-on crash with a tractor-trailer early Saturday on U.S. 220.
A Hispanic man died when the blue 2008 Dodge Charger he was driving collided with an oncoming 2006 Freightliner tractor-trailer, according to Trooper L.E. Sampson of the N.C. Highway Patrol.
Sampson said the man was driving north in the southbound lanes of the U.S. 220 bypass. The wreck happened around 3:52 a.m. Saturday about 3½ miles south of Norman.
“Right now, it’s still under investigation to determine exactly what had that vehicle going the wrong way,” Sampson said.
The tractor-trailer was traveling at an estimated 45 to 50 mph at the time of impact, he said, and the Dodge Charger was traveling “at a high rate of speed” — above the posted 65 mph speed limit.
The Dodge driver was killed on impact and had no passengers in the car. A photo taken hours after the wreck shows the tractor-trailer cab came to rest on top of the crumpled sedan.
Annette Wilkerson Lane, 50, of Potato House Road near Darlington, South Carolina, was driving the tractor-trailer owned by Morton Motor Express of Rural Hall. She was not cited in the crash.
Lane suffered an injury to her left leg, sustained bruising and complained of soreness after the wreck, Sampson said. She was taken to FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital for treatment.
The driver of another tractor-trailer on U.S. 220 witnessed the crash and stopped to offer first aid and call 911, according to the Highway Patrol.
Troopers were still investigating the wreck’s cause and the deceased driver’s identity Tuesday afternoon.
Reach Editor Corey Friedman at 910-817-2670 and follow him on Twitter @corey_friedman.