NORTH CAROLINA — Western North Carolina recorded its first highway-related fatality from the Jan. 30–31 winter storm following a crash on U.S. 74 East.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred on Jan. 31 when the driver of a Chevrolet pickup truck struck a motor grader that had been contracted by the North Carolina Department of Transportation for snow removal operations. The impact caused the driver to become pinned inside the vehicle.
The driver was pronounced dead at the scene and was later identified as Brandon Atkins, 55, of Forest City.
Troopers said three other occupants were inside the pickup truck at the time of the crash. All three sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to a hospital for treatment.
The crash remains under investigation.
