A 76-year-old Sampson man was killed Wednesday after the vehicle he was driving left the roadway and struck a tree while attempting to enter Interstate 40, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
Robert Wayne Adams, 76, of Kitty Fork Road in Clinton was identified as the victim.
Troopers responded to the single-vehicle crash at approximately 8:24 a.m. today at the intersection of N.C. 55 and the westbound I-40 on-ramp.
According to the Highway Patrol, Adams was driving a 2004 Cadillac west on N.C. 55 when he attempted to make a right turn onto the westbound I-40 on-ramp at what investigators believe was a high rate of speed.
Authorities said the vehicle partially completed the turn before running off the left side of the on-ramp and colliding with a tree. The vehicle came to rest off the shoulder of the ramp.
Adams, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was transported to Sampson Regional Medical Center in Clinton following the crash. Troopers later learned he died from his injuries at the hospital.
Investigators believe speed was a contributing factor in the collision. The Highway Patrol reported that impairment is not suspected, and Adams was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.
No other vehicles were involved, and the investigation remains ongoing.