DORTCHES, Nash County, N.C., Oct. 2, 2026 — A man was found dead on the shoulder of I-95 northbound in Nash County on Friday morning, October 2, after a tractor-trailer struck him, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. The man, reported to be 56 years old, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Troopers said the man was discovered before 7:30 a.m. along the northbound shoulder near mile marker 142, between the Dortches exit and the Nash County Rest Area, about 4 miles northwest of Rocky Mount. A passing tractor-trailer reportedly struck him before troopers were notified.
The tractor-trailer driver stopped at the scene and stayed with the vehicle. Part of I-95 was shut down on Friday morning while crews worked the scene, though the highway patrol has not said when lanes reopened.
The Nash County Sheriff's Office is leading the investigation, Sheriff Keith Stone said. The man's name and the circumstances that put him on the interstate shoulder have not been released, and no further details were available as of Friday.
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family of the victim.
Why a Tractor-Trailer Hit Usually Proves Fatal on a Highway Shoulder
A loaded tractor-trailer can weigh 20 times or more than a passenger car, and on an interstate it frequently moves 60 to 70 mph, even along the shoulder. That combination of mass and closing speed means a pedestrian struck in that setting absorbs an impact with almost no equivalent on a city street or in a parking lot.
Vehicle height matters too. A pedestrian hit by a sedan typically takes the blow at the legs or hips, usually getting knocked onto the hood or windshield. A tractor-trailer's front end sits much higher and is largely flat, rigid steel built to push through wind resistance and cargo loads, not to flex or absorb a collision with a person. There's no hood to catch a body and no crumple zone at pedestrian height; the impact happens lower, closer to the ground, with far less give.
None of the safety equipment on a big rig, antilock brakes, lane departure warnings, collision mitigation systems, is designed around a person standing on the shoulder in low light. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrian deaths accounted for 18 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2023, a share that has climbed as more roads mix pedestrians with high-speed vehicle traffic, including interstates where pedestrians are not expected to be present at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should someone do immediately after being hit by a vehicle?
Get to a safe location away from traffic if possible, call 911, and avoid moving more than necessary until paramedics arrive. Even injuries that seem minor at first, like head impacts or internal pain, should be checked by a medical provider the same day.
Who has the right of way at a crosswalk?
In North Carolina, as in most states, pedestrians in a marked or unmarked crosswalk generally have the right of way over turning or crossing vehicles. On a highway shoulder, however, pedestrians are not expected or legally permitted to be present except in emergencies.
What can drivers do to avoid hitting someone on foot?
Slowing down near any stopped vehicle or activity on a shoulder, scanning for movement at the roadside, and giving extra space when passing parked cars or rest areas all reduce the chance of a crash. Visibility drops sharply at dawn, dusk, and night, so extra following distance and attention matter most during those hours.
What injuries are most common when a vehicle strikes a pedestrian?
Leg and pelvic fractures are common from the initial impact, with head and chest injuries frequently resulting from a secondary fall or collision with the vehicle. Severity depends heavily on vehicle speed and size, which is why highway-speed crashes carry a much higher risk of death.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Crash in Dortches, NC
If you witness or are involved in a crash involving someone on foot near a highway, call 911 right away and give your exact location, including mile markers if you can find them. Stay in a safe spot away from moving traffic, and do not attempt to move an injured person unless they're in immediate danger from oncoming vehicles.
Anyone involved, including witnesses, should expect to speak with investigators and should write down what they remember as soon as possible, since details can fade quickly. If you or a loved one are connected to a crash like this, follow up with a medical evaluation even if injuries aren't immediately obvious, and keep any paperwork from police or medical providers in one place for reference later.
