BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — An 8-year-old child has died after being struck by a vehicle in Burke County Thursday morning, state troopers said.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to a fatal crash around 6:50 a.m. on Drexel Road in Valdese.
According to troopers, the child darted across the road into the path of the oncoming Hyundai Tuscan, resulting in the collision.
The child, identified as Matthew Contreras, was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries before being airlifted to Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital.
He died in the hospital due to the extent of his injuries, troopers said.
The driver in the incident was not injured and is not expected to be charged, according to officials.
