ROCKINGHAM – The fiery crash on Highway 220 North that claimed the life of a trucker last Thursday afternoon has been investigated and the driver identified.
On Thursday, March 8th at approximately 3:00 p.m., an empty logging truck left the highway and, after colliding with two trees, burst into flames.
The driver died at the scene.
According to authorities at the scene, Larry Steven Newell, 70, of Candor, may have had a “medical issue” that precipitated the accident. His truck and empty logging trailer veered from the highway, struck a tree and burst into flames, but there was no evidence that there was ever any application of brakes at any point.
Newell was employed by Wayne Dunn Logging of Mt. Gilead.
The accident happened on Highway 220 North just beyond the Snead Avenue intersection. The northbound lanes of the highway were shut down for over three hours.
A spokesman with the Northside Fire Department said that the precise cause of death had not yet been determined at this time and was pending the completion of the investigation by the North Carolina Highway Patrol and the medical examiner.
Agencies responding: Northside Fire Department, Rockingham Fire Department, First Health Richmond EMS, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, Rockingham Rescue, and the North Carolina Highway Patrol.
