ROCKINGHAM — Westbound traffic on U.S. 74 came to a crawl following a fatal wreck Tuesday morning.
According to Jeremy Chance, chief of Cordova Fire and Rescue, two flagging trucks for a road construction contractor were struck by a tractor-trailer hauling lumber at the Richmond County side of the Pee Dee River bridge.
Chance said crews were dispatched at 9:28 a.m.
Two workers were outside of the vehicles at the time of the wreck, Chance said. One was pronounced dead at the scene. Crews set up a landing zone on the highway for the other to be airlifted.
As of noon, Chance said the westbound lane was still closed and would be for a while as crews work to clear the scene.
The eastbound lane of U.S. 74 has been temporarily turned into a two-way road near the entrance to the boat landing, allowing westbound traffic across the river, Chance said.
The wreck is being investigated by the N.C. State Highway Patrol.
