North Carolina Highway troopers are investigating an accident that killed a 23-year-old who was walking on Interstate 85 Thursday morning.
“I was expecting for Jeremy to knock on the door, for us to unlock the door to let him in, but instead I got a knock on the door from the Highway Patrol,” said the victim’s mother Sandra Altizer.
She was in tears remembering her son Thursday.
Troopers said it was around 5 a.m. when Jeremy Altizer was walking on I-85 south near Exit 55.
A man driving the same direction veered right to exit the highway.
Troopers said the driver thought he hit a deer, but he felt something wasn’t right so he called 911.
When officers arrived they found Altizer. They said he may not have realized he was walking in front of a car.
"He could have walked right out into the exit, not been paying attention to where he was going and got struck,” said Highway Patrol Sgt. Garrett Barger.
Jeremy was at a friend’s house yesterday. His sister said he called around 1 a.m. asking for a ride home, but she was asleep and missed the call.
"I don't understand why he would have been walking unless he thought something was going to happen and he didn't want to be involved in it," said the victim’s aunt Niecy Cline.
They said there must have been something very wrong for him to try to walk nearly 30 miles home. They are frustrated by unanswered questions, but trying to focus on the good times with him.
“I love him with all my heart,” said Altizer.
So far troopers haven’t charged the driver of the car. They are investigating whether Jeremy was intoxicated at the time.
“I was expecting for Jeremy to knock on the door, for us to unlock the door to let him in, but instead I got a knock on the door from the Highway Patrol,” said the victim’s mother Sandra Altizer.
She was in tears remembering her son Thursday.
Troopers said it was around 5 a.m. when Jeremy Altizer was walking on I-85 south near Exit 55.
A man driving the same direction veered right to exit the highway.
Troopers said the driver thought he hit a deer, but he felt something wasn’t right so he called 911.
When officers arrived they found Altizer. They said he may not have realized he was walking in front of a car.
"He could have walked right out into the exit, not been paying attention to where he was going and got struck,” said Highway Patrol Sgt. Garrett Barger.
Jeremy was at a friend’s house yesterday. His sister said he called around 1 a.m. asking for a ride home, but she was asleep and missed the call.
"I don't understand why he would have been walking unless he thought something was going to happen and he didn't want to be involved in it," said the victim’s aunt Niecy Cline.
They said there must have been something very wrong for him to try to walk nearly 30 miles home. They are frustrated by unanswered questions, but trying to focus on the good times with him.
“I love him with all my heart,” said Altizer.
So far troopers haven’t charged the driver of the car. They are investigating whether Jeremy was intoxicated at the time.
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