A 48-year-old dump truck driver was killed Saturday afternoon after swerving to avoid another vehicle on U.S. 421 in Wilkes County, North Carolina. His truck struck a guardrail, went over the edge of a bridge and landed on a road below. The driver, identified as Alberto Maya Benitez of Yadkinville, died at the scene.
The crash happened around 12:18 p.m. on November 14, near the Dennyville Road exit at mile marker 270 in eastern Wilkes County. According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Benitez was driving a white Freightliner dump truck eastbound in the right lane when another vehicle attempted to merge onto the highway.
Investigators said Benitez swerved to avoid the merging vehicle. The two vehicles never made contact, but the sudden move sent the dump truck off the roadway to the left.
The truck struck a guardrail and the end of a bridge before going over the edge. It then fell onto Dennyville Road below, leaving Benitez with fatal injuries.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but Benitez could not be saved. Troopers confirmed that he died at the crash site.
Investigators also confirmed that Benitez was wearing his seat belt when the crash happened. Alcohol was not considered a contributing factor, according to the Highway Patrol.
Although the vehicle attempting to merge never touched the dump truck, its driver’s actions remain part of the investigation. State troopers said they will contact the district attorney’s office regarding possible charges against that driver.
Authorities have not announced any charges. The crash happened near the Dennyville Road interchange in the Ronda area, east of Wilkesboro. For Benitez, what began as an ordinary drive along U.S. 421 ended in a deadly crash that investigators say started with an attempt to avoid another vehicle.