No charges expected for truck driver

A 22-year old college student was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer Monday, Dec. 3 while traveling home to Kansas for the holidays.

David Winter, who was reportedly staying in Mill Spring with a friend was struck and killed while outside his vehicle near the 57-mile marker near Saluda.

The accident occurred around 6 p.m. in the middle of the westbound lanes. One lane of traffic was shut down until about 8:30 p.m.

N.C. Highway Patrol Trooper C. Sama said it is not known why Winter was in the middle of the interstate. Winter’s vehicle was found on the side of the road about 500 yards away with the doors locked and his keys have not been found. Without the key, officers have not been able to determine if Winter’s truck was out of fuel or if there were mechanical issues.

There will be no charges filed against the truck driver, with the trooper saying there was nothing the truck driver could have done to avoid hitting Winter. Reports indicate that Winter was first struck by the tractor-trailer, which likely killed him instantly, then struck by another vehicle.