Man walking on I-40 killed in chain of events that began when NC driver offered help

A man walking on Interstate 40 in North Carolina was killed Tuesday in a chain events that began when a passing driver stopped to offer help, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

The victim was identified as Harold Dean Stewart III, 28, of Statesville. He died at the scene, Master Trooper Jeffrey Swagger said in a press release.

Investigators do not know the name of the driver who allegedly struck Stewart around 5:35 p.m., Swagger said in the release.

The incident happened in Iredell County near the Interstate 77 interchange, the state Highway Patrol said in a statement released overnight.

“A pedestrian, possibly having a medical issue, was walking west on Interstate 40,” Swagger said in the release.

“As a passerby stopped to check on the man, a pickup truck ran off the right side of the roadway, sideswiped the concrete construction barrier, collided with the passerby’s vehicle, and struck the pedestrian,” the release said.

The pickup left without stopping, the release said.

Troopers are searching for the driver, who was in “a late 80’s model Chevrolet pickup truck,” officials said.

“The vehicle may be light blue or faded blue with white two-tone on the side. There will be damage to the front and right side of the truck,” according to the Highway Patrol.

Trooper Marla Powell of the N.C. Highway Patrol told the Statesville Record & Landmark that Stewart had left Davis Regional Medical Center on foot and was struck in a construction zone where there is no shoulder alongside the travel lanes.

Anyone with information can call the Highway Patrol at 828-466-5500 or dial 911, officials said.

This story was originally published January 8, 2020 at 6:31 AM.