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Hildebran – On Monday, February 12, at approximately 5:30 p.m., the NC State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision in Burke County on US 70 near Icard School Road. A 2017 Hyundai Elantra was traveling east on US 70, crossed the centerline, and collided head-on with a westbound 2022 Honda CR-V.
The driver of the Elantra, Tony Linn Strickland, 57, of Morganton, NC, succumbed to injuries during transport to Valdese Hospital.
The driver of the CR-V, Tou Vue, 54, of Connelly Springs, NC, was transported by EMS to Valdese Hospital, with non-life-threatening injuries.
The initial investigation does indicate impairment to be the contributing factor. During the on-scene investigation, US 70 was closed in the area for approximately two hours. No charges will be filed in this case.