Friday morning collision leaves one dead

Published 12:31 pm Friday, November 24, 2023

ROWAN COUNTY — One person is dead after a crash on Interstate 85 reportedly involving a driver attempting to pass a parked emergency vehicle, according to an emergency official.

Rowan County Emergency Services shared in a Facebook post that emergency personnel were responding to a prior accident when a driver attempted to pass through at a high rate of speed. The driver hit a South Salisbury Fire Department truck and a Rowan Rescue vehicle, causing them to crash.

The crash occurred before 5 a.m. on Friday morning in the area of the Webb Road exit on the southbound side of Interstate 85.

The Facebook post noted that the incident is under investigation by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. The name of the person killed in the crash has not yet been released.

No emergency responders were injured in the crash, according to Emergency Services.

“Even while all responders were dealing with what was now two accidents, cars still tried to find ways to get through quickly and avoid directions being given. This is not ok. Doing this is just as dangerous as drinking or texting while driving. Please do your part to make sure our next post is not to report the injury or death of a first responder being hit while trying to care for others,” said the Facebook post.