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.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
Local Government Meetings: October 19-23, 2026
This week in local government: affordable housing proposals on Rogers Road and Old Lystra Road, and a public hearing on Chapel Hill's LUMO.
The Morning News: Faith Hedgepeth Trial, Affordable Housing, UNC Football
In today's news: the Faith Hedgepeth murder trial continues, and a local nonprofit cuts the ribbon on four affordable homes.
Local Government Meetings: October 12-16, 2026
This week in local government: property valuation in Orange County, Chatham Park in Pittsboro, and Churton Street's future in Hillsborough.
Local Government Meetings: October 5-9, 2026
This week in local government: Orange County Commissioners discuss data centers and property revaluation, while Carrboro talks composting.
NCDOT: I-85 Ramp to I-40 in Orange County to Close for 2 Months
NCDOT construction crews are preparing to close the exit ramp for Exit 163 along I-85 South — a ramp west of Hillsborough that loops vehicles over the interstate and redirects them onto I-40 East.
Heavy Rains, Flash Flooding Lead to Interstate 40 Closure and Delays in Hillsborough
UPDATE: As of 10:30 a.m., the closure at the I-40/I-85 split has reopened and Interstate 40 West at Exit 261 reopened at 9 a.m. Flash flooding from early morning rain developed on parts of Interstate 40 and Interstate 85 in Orange County on Thursday, leading to lane closures and significant traffic delays. The North Carolina […]
Local Government Meetings: June 15-19, 2026
This week in local government: a proposed AI moratorium in Durham and a board appointment (maybe) in Chatham County.
Local Government Meetings: June 1-5, 2026
This week in local government: budget decisions for Orange County, Carrboro, and Durham, and the final vote on a CHCCS school closure.
I-40 Off-Ramp in Orange County Set for Overnight Closures, Concrete Removal
The North Carolina Department of Transportation announced Monday it will begin conducting nightly closures of the west-bound off-ramp from I-40 to North Carolina Highway 86.
Sheriff's Office: Moving Truck Hit and Run in Hillsborough Ends With Dramatic Chase, Stop in Greensboro
A Virginia man faces several charges in North Carolina after an extensive vehicle pursuit that began with a hit-and-run case in Orange County. The Orange County Sheriff’s Office shared a release on Monday afternoon detailing the incident from Sunday night. Law enforcement officials were dispatched at 10:20 p.m. to help the Hillsborough Police Department with […]
›