The NC Highway Patrol and Johnston County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the death of a pedestrian struck and killed on Interstate 40 in Johnston County this morning (Monday).
The fatal accident occurred at 9:24am in the eastbound lanes of I-40 near the 323 mile marker not far from the Benson Rest Area.
Initial reports indicate a man exited a parked vehicle on the eastbound shoulder of the interstate and stepped into the path of an oncoming 2017 Freightliner tractor trailer driven by 41 year-old Phil Sneed of Louisburg, NC. The tractor trailer was pulled safely to the shoulder after impact. Sneed was not injured. The pedestrian was killed instantly.
Both eastbound lanes of the interstate were shutdown for about one hour.
Authorities confirmed they are treating the death as a possible suicide. Additional details, including the name of the victim, have not been released.
