A deadly evening crash yesterday on East Independence Boulevard in Matthews left one person dead, another fighting for life, and a major artery through town choked with emergency vehicles and backed-up traffic.
Witnesses described a huge response from fire, EMS, and police as medics worked the scene. Paramedics pronounced one person dead at the scene and rushed another to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, according to WCNC. The station reports the collision happened in the 12200 block of East Independence Boulevard in Matthews and drew a heavy emergency response. WCNC notes the story was posted Monday evening by reporter Bonnie Zhang.
Independence Boulevard a known trouble spot
Independence Boulevard (US 74) is not just busy, it is officially one of the town’s most dangerous stretches of road. The town’s draft Vision Zero plan flags the corridor as Matthews’ highest-injury route, carrying roughly 60,000 vehicles a day and accounting for a disproportionate share of local deaths and serious injuries. Those numbers help explain why crashes here so often turn severe, according to the Town of Matthews' Vision Zero draft.
Traffic delays and investigation
NCDOT maps showed heavy traffic in the area, with lanes restricted while crews cleared wreckage and investigators documented the crash scene, WCNC reported. Authorities have not yet released information on what caused the collision; investigators on scene were gathering details and expected to provide updates.
What to watch
Police and emergency agencies are expected to release additional information as the investigation continues. Anyone with dash-cam footage or eyewitness information is asked to contact Matthews police. This story will be updated as officials share new details.
