Authorities investigating assault, crash involving pedestrian on same road minutes apart

MONROE, N.C. — Authorities in Union County are investigating an assault and a crash involving a pedestrian that happened within minutes of each other on the same road early Monday morning.

It happened just after 5 a.m. on Highway 601 near Belk Mill Road and Galilee Baptist Church in Monroe.

Deputies said they responded to the area after getting reports of an assault with a knife.

When they arrived, the victim reported he had picked up the suspect, who he knew, in South Carolina and the two were driving on Highway 601 when the suspect became upset and started attacking the victim with a knife.

Deputies said the victim was able to force the passenger out of the car and he then walked away. A few minutes later, a pickup truck traveling on Highway 601 hit a man walking in or near the roadway.

Deputies said the driver stopped to help the man, but that man started assaulting the driver and tried to steal his truck.

Authorities said the suspect does not have serious injuries from being hit by the truck, but was taken to the hospital for treatment. That man has not been identified.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol will be investigating the crash involving the pedestrian while the Union County Sheriff’s Office will continue to investigate the assault.

Authorities have not said if the two incidents are connected.

No other information has been released.

This is an ongoing investigation. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.

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