Pedestrian hit and killed on US 70 in Clayton on Wednesday night
A pedestrian was hit and killed while trying to cross U.S. 70 in Clayton on Wednesday night.
The pedestrian was struck at about 8:45 p.m. just east of Shotwell Road. Witnesses told police the person had just left the Dunkin’ on Enterprise Drive and had safely made it across the westbound lanes to the grassy median of U.S. 70, also known as Clayton Boulevard.
But when the person attempted to cross the eastbound lanes, he was hit by a Toyota Grand Highlander. Police have not cited the driver of the Toyota but say they are still investigating the crash.
Police have not released the name or other information about the pedestrian as they attempty to notify family.
The eastbound lanes of U.S. 70 were closed for nearly three hours Wednesday night as police investigated the collision. There are streetlights where the crash took place but no crosswalk. The speed limit is 45 mph.
Pedestrians accounted for more than 16% of people killed in automobile crashes in North Carolina last year. According to data recently released by the Division of Motor Vehicles, 281 pedestrians died in the state in 2024, a 12% increase over the year before.
This story was originally published October 9, 2025 at 10:20 AM with the headline "Pedestrian hit and killed on US 70 in Clayton on Wednesday night."
