IREDELL COUNTY, NC — A deadly crash on Interstate 77 early Wednesday morning claimed the life of a 27-year-old man from the Triad region, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. The accident occurred around 6:35 a.m. near the I-40 interchange on I-77 South.
Troopers say the crash began when a Mitsubishi passenger vehicle, driven by Jared Quincey Nelson of Elkin, failed to reduce speed for traffic ahead. The Mitsubishi collided with the back of a Volvo semi-truck, which was operating without a trailer. The force of the collision pushed the semi-truck into a Chevrolet SUV traveling in the same direction.
Nelson, who sustained severe injuries in the crash, was pronounced dead at the scene. Despite immediate emergency response, authorities confirmed that the impact was too devastating for life-saving measures to be successful. He was the sole fatality in the multi-vehicle crash.
The driver of the semi-truck, 48-year-old Dennis Scott Bolding of Statesville, received minor injuries but did not require hospitalization. The driver of the Chevrolet SUV was unharmed. Authorities confirmed that speed was a significant factor in the collision, with no evidence of impairment or distraction on the part of the involved drivers.
Traffic along I-77 South was significantly impacted as law enforcement and emergency crews responded to the scene. Several lanes were closed for about three hours while investigators examined the crash site and cleared the wreckage.
This incident serves as a sobering reminder about the dangers of speeding and the importance of adjusting to traffic conditions. Highway patrol officials are urging drivers to remain alert, avoid distractions, and maintain safe following distances to prevent similar tragedies.
As the investigation continues, officials are reviewing vehicle data, traffic footage, and witness statements to finalize their report. No charges are expected in the case. The community, meanwhile, is mourning the sudden loss of Jared Nelson, as friends and family remember the life of a young man taken far too soon.