MIDDLESEX, Nash County, N.C., Nov. 5, 2026 — A 14 year old girl died on Tuesday morning, November 3, after she was hit by a pickup truck while trying to board a school bus in Nash County, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
The crash happened around 6 a.m. on Bryant Road near Hoyt Road, east of N.C. 231 and about 3 miles north of Middlesex. The student, who attended Southern Nash High School, had reportedly been waiting at a private driveway for the bus. According to the highway patrol, the bus had turned on its amber warning lights as it approached but had not yet extended its stop arm when the teen stepped into the road.
At the same time, a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado was headed west on Bryant Road, and the truck struck her. She was taken to WakeMed in Raleigh and died at the hospital about two hours after the crash. As of Tuesday late morning, no charges had been filed against the truck's driver.
A neighbor who lives near the crash site said she heard the bus driver sound the horn repeatedly, apparently trying to warn the oncoming truck. She described the road as straight and said vehicles frequently travel it at high speed. The crash happened while it was still dark. Another neighbor said students who witnessed the crash remained on the bus for roughly two hours before being picked up by parents. Southern Nash High School said grief counselors were made available to students in the crash's aftermath.
The state highway patrol said its investigation is ongoing. We offer our deepest sympathy to the family of the victim.
Intersection Crashes in North Carolina
This pedestrian crash happened at Bryant Road and Hoyt Road in Middlesex, NC. Our North Carolina intersections page covers intersection crashes across North Carolina.
Frequently Asked Questions
What usually causes pedestrian crashes like this one?
Low visibility, a driver's failure to notice a pedestrian in time, and vehicles approaching stopped or stopping buses or other hazards are common factors. Investigators typically look at sightlines, lighting and timing when reconstructing how a pedestrian came to be in a vehicle's path.
Does a vehicle's speed change a pedestrian's chances of survival?
Yes. A pedestrian hit at a higher speed is far more likely to suffer severe or fatal injuries than one hit at a lower speed, since impact force rises sharply as speed increases.
Are pedestrian crashes more likely after dark?
Many pedestrian deaths occur in low-light conditions, when drivers have less time to see and react to someone in or near the roadway. Rural roads without streetlights, like the one in this crash, can add to that risk.
