On Thursday, February 10, at approximately 6:50 a.m., the NC State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision in Burke County on NC 114 just north of I-40. Several children were near the roadway when one child darted across the road into the path of a northbound 2021 Hyundai Tucson. The vehicle collided with the child in the northbound lane. Visibility was limited by low light at dawn and a small hillcrest in the roadway.
The child, Matthew Contreras, 8, of Valdese, was transported to a local hospital by EMS. He was then transferred by medical helicopter to Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte where he succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the Hyundai, Keondra Allred, 30, of Hickory, was not injured. The roadway was closed for over two hours during the on-scene investigation. The investigation is ongoing. No charges are expected against the driver.
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