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On Wednesday morning (Feb. 7th)  at approximately 3:15 AM, the NC State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision in Lincoln County on NC 73 near Ralph Ward Trail. That's east of the Lincolnton Airport and west of Sharon Baptist Church.  

A 2008 Toyota Scion traveling west on NC73 crossed the center line and collided head-on with an eastbound 2021 Peterbilt tractor-trailer.

 

The driver of the Toyota, Timothy Kent McDaniel, Jr. 36, of Denver,  succumbed to his injuries at the scene.  He was not restrained by a seatbelt. 

 

The driver of the tractor-trailer, Jeffrey Thomas Triplett, 55, of Shelby,  was not injured.

 

The initial investigation does not indicate impairment or speed to be contributing factors. During the on-scene investigation, NC73 was closed in the area for approximately two hours.  No charges will be filed in this case.

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