NEWPORT, N.C. (AP) - The North Carolina Highway Patrol says a truck driver was killed when a tractor-trailer carrying large rocks overturned.
The patrol told news outlets that 56-year-old James Guthrie Jr. was not wearing a seatbelt when his rig crashed on U.S. Highway 70 outside of Newport at approximately 7:55 a.m on Friday. Investigators say Guthrie lost control of the truck, causing it to roll over.
Troopers say the accident sent rocks into both directions of the highway, and another vehicle was hit by a rock. No one in that vehicle was hurt.
Investigators say alcohol or drugs are not suspected as a cause of the crash. Westbound traffic was detoured and eastbound traffic was stopped as workers removed the rocks from the road. All lanes were reopened to traffic around noon.
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