MORGANTON––A Morganton man is dead, following a hit-and-run collision in Burke County, Wednesday morning.

According to Master Trooper Christopher Casey of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol in a Wednesday afternoon statement, at about 9:20 a.m., NCSHP personnel responded to and investigated the incident on I-40 West, near Enola Road (Exit 104). A tractor-trailer was travelling west on I-40 and struck a pedestrian.  After the collision, the tractor-trailer left the scene, as Casey reveals.

He adds that the pedestrian, Alfredo Hernandez-Son, 25, succumbed to his injuries and died at the scene.

“The suspect vehicle is believed to be a 2018 or newer Freightliner ‘Cascadia’ tractor-trailer that’s missing the right front headlight assembly and will have right front bumper and hood damage,” Casey informs.

He continues that highway patrol personnel are requesting public assistance from anyone who may have been involved or seen something in the area of I-40 West at Enola Road, from approximately 4 a.m. to 9:25 a.m. Those with information regarding this fatal collision should contact the NCSHP at (828) 466-5500.

The investigation is ongoing.

BELOW: Seen here is a Freightliner “Cascadia,” just like the suspect vehicle in Wednesday morning’s hit-and-run incident.

(Photo Courtesy NC Highway Patrol)