A fatal accident involving a tractor-trailer and an SUV was reported at midafternoon Monday on Highway 321 near Exit 20, officials said.
The SUV was traveling along the Gaston County highway at 5 mph in a 65 mph because of a possible mechanical failure when the tractor-trailer slammed in the back of the SUV.
The driver of the SUV was killed on impact and the passenger was taken to the hospital with injuries that did not appear to be life threatening, officials said.
The driver of the tractor-trailer who is from Charlotte was taken to the hospital for observation
The occupants in the SUV were men from Gastonia and appeared to be in their 50s.
Further information has not been released.
The crash is under investigation.
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