A high-speed crash on U.S. 64 east in Nash County early Saturday morning left one driver dead and a white Dodge Charger torn apart after it slammed into a concrete pillar in the median. Investigators said the car veered off the roadway, the driver overcorrected and the vehicle plowed into the support columns holding up an Alt 64 ramp. The driver, who was the only person in the car, was pronounced dead at the scene, and emergency crews shut down the eastbound lanes while troopers and first responders worked.
Troopers Say Charger Hit Median Pillar at High Speed
According to CBS17, North Carolina State Highway Patrol troopers reported that the Charger was moving at a high rate of speed before it left the highway and struck the pillars in the median near mile marker 458. The impact was so violent that the car broke into three pieces on contact. The Nashville Police Department called in State Highway Patrol to assist with the single-vehicle wreck, and the driver was pronounced dead on scene.
Road Closed for Hours as Crews Clear Wreckage
The North Carolina Department of Transportation issued an alert that U.S. 64 east near mile marker 458 was closed while crews handled the aftermath. Eastbound lanes reopened several hours later Saturday morning. Local fire and EMS units, tow operators and troopers worked the scene, removing debris and documenting the crash. Drivers were urged to steer clear of the area while responders worked, and traffic backups were reported during the cleanup.
What Investigators Will Look For
The State Highway Patrol's collision unit is leading the on-scene investigation and is expected to scrutinize vehicle damage, sight lines, debris patterns and any available video to determine whether speed, impairment or a mechanical issue played a role. The Highway Patrol's public information materials describe how troopers record crash scenes, interview witnesses and conduct testing as part of fatal collision investigations. Their findings will determine whether the case is closed as a single-vehicle traffic fatality or whether any additional action is needed.
Deadly Wreck Adds to U.S. 64 Crash History
U.S. 64 through eastern North Carolina has a history of serious collisions that can shut down traffic and trigger large multi-agency responses along its rural, high-speed stretches. Previous coverage of major crashes on the corridor has highlighted how quickly a single wreck can snarl traffic and require lengthy investigations, including fatal and multi-vehicle crashes on U.S. 64 in Nash County.
Nashville police said they are not releasing the driver's name until family members are notified, and troopers are continuing to investigate what led to the crash. Authorities are asking anyone with dash-cam or surveillance footage from the area to contact the State Highway Patrol or the Nashville Police Department to assist with the investigation, per CBS17.
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