UPDATE: Missing Truck Driver Died From Asphyxiation

A truck driver was killed after being run over by his semi truck at the Petro Truck Stop in Kenly. The semi (not shown) is located behind the enclosed trailer in the rear parking lot. Johnston County Report Photo

UPDATE March 3: Kenly Police Chief James Ayers confirmed the victim died from asphyxiation. The 60 year-old truck driver was from Maine. Authorities believe the death took place just after 5:00pm Wednesday. The driver, whose name has not been released, was not discovered until Thursday morning. The death was ruled accidental.



KENLY – The search for a missing truck driver ended with a tragic discovery in Johnston County. Kenly Police Chief James Ayers was assisting in the search for a truck driver who had not contacted his out-of-state trucking company as scheduled, approximately 16 hours earlier.

Just before 10:00am Thursday, while searching the rear parking lot of the Petro Truck Stop on Johnston Parkway Road, off Interstate 95, Chief Ayers located the body of the missing truck driver underneath his semi.

Johnston County Medical Examiner Jason Thompson (right) speaks with officials at the Petro Truck Stop in Kenly on March 2, 2023. Johnston County Report Photo

It appears the driver unhooked the enclosed trailer from the semi to perform mechanical work underneath the truck. While underneath the semi, the truck apparently rolled over the victim. A mechanics tool bag was located nearby with several tools on the ground.

The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office and Johnston County Medical Examiner responded to the scene to assist Kenly Police with the death investigation. Authorities reviewed footage from nearby security cameras to try and determine when the incident occurred.

The semi tractor and trailer prepare to be towed away from the Petro Truck Stop in Kenly on March 2, 2023. The driver of the truck was found dead underneath the cab of the vehicle hours earlier. The road tractor and trailer were not connected when the accident occurred. Photo by John Payne

A large wrecker was brought to the scene to lift the semi off the victim. The wrecker then towed the semi and trailer away from the truck stop.

Police are working to learn what caused the truck to roll over the victim. The man’s name has not been released. Foul play is not suspected.

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