Early Wednesday on a quiet stretch of U.S. Highway 64 in Caldwell County, a 76-year-old driver was killed when his SUV veered out of its lane and erupted in flames, according to state troopers.
Investigators say the SUV crossed the centerline on Highway 64, hit a guardrail, then overturned into a tree before catching fire. The driver, identified as David Dula, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Troopers said in a release reported by WSOC that the crash happened near Helton Hartley Place and that Dula did not survive the impact or resulting fire. Investigators told WSOC they do not believe speed or impairment were factors in the wreck.
Where the Crash Happened
Helton Hartley Place sits just off Highway 64 outside Lenoir in Caldwell County. Property listings and mapping place the road on a rural stretch of highway between Lenoir and Morganton, as seen in a local listing on Compass.
Investigation Underway
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the single-vehicle crash. Troopers have not released additional details about what caused the SUV to cross the centerline, according to the report from WSOC.
Safety Note
Rural two-lane highways like this stretch of U.S. 64 can be unforgiving, especially when a vehicle leaves the roadway and there is little margin for error. Single-vehicle run-off crashes are often severe and can quickly turn deadly when a rollover or fire is involved. Troopers typically conduct detailed scene work and follow-up interviews to piece together what happened, and anyone with information is urged to contact the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
