Crash back up U.S. 74 westbound traffic for hours Monday

 

COLUMBUS—A Rutherford County woman was killed in an accident Monday morning along U.S. 74 and a truck driver has been charged, according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

The victim of the crash has been identified as Lindsay Cooper, age 30, of Rutherfordton.

Trooper Murico Stephens said Cooper was driving a Nissan Sentry when her car crashed into a box truck along westbound U.S. 74 near Highway 9. Cooper was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the box truck as identified as Alfredo Baute, 51, of Charlotte. Troopers said Baute stopped the truck for unknown reasons.

The trooper said Baute was charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle and illegally stopping in the roadway.

U.S. 74 westbound was blocked near the Highway 9 exit just before 10 a.m. Monday.

Polk County was asking people to avoid the area on Facebook.

The crash occurred around 8:30 a.m. and no other vehicles were involved.