FedEx driver dead in I-40, I-85 crash with overturned tractor trailer in Orange County
A Tuesday morning crash involving three vehicles left one person dead and shut down multiple traffic lanes on Interstates 40/85 in Orange County for nearly six hours.
The crash occurred about 8:30 a.m. in the northbound lanes near Buckhorn Road, according to a release from the N.C. State Highway Patrol.
Two passenger vehicles and a commercial motor vehicle were involved in the crash — the result of a chain of events started by the initial collision. .
Harry Franklin Huffman, 72, of Lewisburg, West Virginia, died at the scene, the Highway Patrol said. He was driving a 2019 Kenworth road tractor operated by FedEx and was pulling double trailers.
According to the State Highway Patrol, Dashaun Tervarrius Hill Richardson, 18, of Mebane, was driving in the far left lane of highway when he tried to move to the next lane over.
He drove his 2012 Jeep Compass into a lane occupied by Coretta Kristine Allen, 47, of Burlington, which set off the chain of events. Richardson hit the side of Allen’s 2012 Toyota Yaris, pushing it into Huffman’s truck, the Highway Patrol said.
Huffman drove off the interstate and overturned, officials said.
Richardson was not injured, and Allen had minor injuries.
No charges have been filed as the investigation is ongoing, according to the Highway Patrol.
Two lanes of the interstate remained closed Tuesday afternoon while troopers investigate. The lanes reopened shortly after 2 p.m.
