Traffic along a familiar stretch of Lillington Highway turned tragic Friday night in Spring Lake, when a pedestrian was struck and killed in the roadway, according to police. A Cumberland County Sheriff's deputy on patrol found the victim lying near 901 Lillington Highway, and the person was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities shut down the road between 670 Lillington Highway and Chapel Hill Road while investigators documented the scene and collected evidence.
ABC11 reports that the driver involved stayed at the scene and is cooperating with law enforcement. Spring Lake police are leading the investigation, with support from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office. The pedestrian's identity has not yet been released, pending notification of family.
Recommended Pedestrian Improvements
Concerns about walking along Lillington Highway did not begin with this crash. Local planning documents have for years flagged parts of the corridor as needing better pedestrian infrastructure, including sidewalks and trails, according to Cumberland County. The Spring Lake plan specifically calls for sidewalks along Lillington Highway between Bragg Boulevard and Chapel Hill Road, highlighting long-identified safety gaps for people on foot. That history helps explain why collisions here hit a nerve with both residents and local planners.
How To Share Tips Or Get Updates
Spring Lake police are asking anyone with information about the crash to contact the department. Tipsters can call the Spring Lake Police Department's tip line at 910-436-2500 or the main office at (910) 436-0350, according to the Town of Spring Lake Police Department. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Cumberland County Crimestoppers at (910) 483-TIPS (8477). Investigators are particularly interested in hearing from witnesses who saw the collision or have video that might help them piece together exactly what happened.
