Trooper: Motorcycles sideswiped each other before deadly crash

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — N.C. Highway Patrol troopers said a man was killed in a crash Sunday afternoon when two motorcycles collided.

The wreck happened around 4 p.m. on Interstate 77 at Interstate 85 near mile marker 38.

N.C. Highway Patrol troopers said two motorcycles sideswiped each other going south on I-77 just before the I-85 underpass. Both motorcycles struck the median wall, crossed back across the interstate and struck the shoulder wall on the bridge over I-85.

Troopers said Jennifer Hendrix, 38, was thrown from one of the motorcycles and landed in the travel lanes of I-77 but she was able to stand up and move off the road.

Nick Prianos, 47, was thrown from his bike after it struck the concrete shoulder wall, sending him over the median. Troopers said he plummeted to his death on I-85 northbound in the left-most travel lane near the median wall.

Hendrix is being treated at Carolinas Medical Center - Main. She is expected to recover.

Troopers said Prianos and Hendrix were engaged.

Both riders were wearing helmets. Troopers said they were trying to determine if speed was a factor and the crash remains under investigation.

Both I-85 north and I-77 south were shut down completely for a short time while the accident was under investigation.

WSOC