All westbound lanes of I-40 at U.S. 401 reopen after pedestrian struck, killed

A pedestrian walking along the westbound lanes of Interstate 40 near U.S. Highway 401 was struck and killed Sunday night, prompting officials to close nearly all lanes of the freeway while they investigated the crash.

Posted 2:34 a.m. Dec 30, 2019 — Updated 5:00 a.m. Dec 30, 2019

Alfred Charles

, WRAL.com managing editor

RALEIGH, N.C. — A pedestrian walking along the westbound lanes of Interstate 40 near U.S. Highway 401 was struck and killed Sunday night, prompting officials to close nearly all lanes of the freeway while they investigated the crash.

The incident occurred shortly after 9 p.m. and resulted in four of five westbound lanes at the South Saunders Street exit being closed.

The lanes reopened about 11:45 p.m., and after several motorists sat in traffic gridlock while police investigated the fatal accident.

It was not immediately clear why the pedestrian was on the freeway.

The victim's identity was pending.

It was not clear if the driver of the vehicle that struck the victim stopped after the crash.

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