A Durham resident was struck and killed in the early hours of July 4 while walking along Interstate 40 in Orange County, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

A release from the state agency said it is investigating the death of 27-year-old Diamond Alexus Powell. Its search for Powell began around 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, when state troopers responded to the site of a collision along the interstate near mile marker 268. Upon arrival, troopers said they found a vehicle that had traveled off the roadway and struck a portable construction message board on the right. But the Highway Patrol said the vehicle’s driver was not found that night.

After searching the area for more than a day — which included assistance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, K9 units, and Powell’s family — Powell’s body was found. According to the Highway Patrol, Powell’s family called investigators around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday to alert them of her location.

“The body of the deceased was located [a half-mile] away from the collision scene,” said a spokesperson for the state agency. “Indications are that the driver walked away from the area of the collision and, at some point, was struck by a passing vehicle. The vehicle fled the scene after impact and an investigation into a hit and run collision is underway.”

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is urging anyone who may have information related to the incident or its investigation to call the department at 336-334-5500 or by dialing *47.

 

Photo via AP Photo/Skip Foreman.

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