A tragic accident on April 3 claimed the life of 52-year-old James Keith Ledford, who was fatally struck by a vehicle while attempting to cross Interstate 40 in Haywood County, North Carolina. The incident occurred around 6:29 a.m. on the bridge spanning Beaverdam Road, near the 32-mile marker of I-40 East.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Ledford was attempting to cross the bridge, which has minimal shoulder space, when a vehicle traveling eastbound in the right-hand lane collided with him. Despite efforts by emergency responders, Ledford was pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the vehicle remained at the scene and cooperated with law enforcement officials. This responsible action is expected to aid in the ongoing investigation, which is focused on determining the cause of the crash. At this time, the circumstances leading to the collision remain unclear, and authorities are investigating whether the pedestrian was visible to the driver in time to avoid the incident.
Sergeant Chris Scerri from the Highway Patrol emphasized that the narrowness of the bridge and limited shoulder space may have created hazardous conditions for both the pedestrian and the driver. This type of infrastructure could have contributed to the tragic outcome of the accident.
The Highway Patrol is continuing to examine factors such as visibility, speed, and any possible traffic violations. While the driver’s identity has not been released, authorities are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Local residents and safety organizations are calling for improvements in pedestrian accommodations along high-risk roads like the bridge over Beaverdam Road to prevent similar incidents in the future.
James Keith Ledford’s death serves as a stark reminder of the dangers pedestrians face when navigating busy highways, especially in areas with limited infrastructure for foot traffic. The Highway Patrol has pledged to provide further updates as the investigation progresses, and the community continues to mourn the loss of Ledford.