Driver found dead inside crashed truck off I-77 identified as missing woman

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — The Highway Patrol has identified the dead driver of a pickup truck who was found last week below a bridge on Interstate 77 near Statesville as a missing woman from Alleghany County.

Troopers said 41-year-old Jessica Kelly Lee of Sparta had been considered a missing person since July 13.

It’s believed she may have crashed below the bridge weeks ago.

Around 6:40 p.m. on July 30, troopers were called to the scene on I-77 northbound near mile marker 56 above the South Yadkin River after a passerby spotted an overturned pickup truck in the median area at the bottom of a deep embankment.

Investigators said the pickup truck was heading north on I-77 when it ran off the left side of the interstate into the median, over an embankment and jumped the South Yadkin River before landing upside down in heavy brush.

Lee was found dead inside the truck.

Troopers told Channel 9 at the time that they think the crash happened several days or even weeks ago. Investigators are still attempting to determine the exact date of the collision.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this developing story.

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