A tragic incident occurred this afternoon on I-485 in the Matthews area, where a pedestrian was fatally struck by a vehicle. According to WBTV, the accident led to the closure of the outer loop between East John Street and Independence Boulevard. The North Carolina Department of Transportation indicated that the interstate could remain closed until after 4:30 p.m., causing significant delays for commuters.

QC News reports the incident was addressed by officials around 1:40 p.m. near Exit 52 in Matthews. At this time, the authorities have not disclosed the cause of the accident nor have they stated if there will be any charges filed. The identity of the victim remains unconfirmed, and it is not clear if anyone else sustained injuries in the collision.

According to details obtained by WSOC-TV's coverage, a single lane was reopened approximately an hour and fifteen minutes after the incident, around 2:15 p.m. Their aerial footage captured by Chopper 9 Skyzoom showed a vehicle pulled to the roadside with police conducting their investigation at the scene. A damaged ladder was also visible on the road, though its relevance to the accident has not been clarified.

MEDIC has confirmed the fatality, yet further details have not been released as investigations continue. Matthews Police Department has cautioned drivers to seek alternative routes as they work to clear the aftermath and unravel the events that led to this loss.