Newton police identify man killed in head-on collision with tractor-trailer

NEWTON, N.C. — A person died in fiery crash in Catawba County Wednesday afternoon, officials said.

Witnesses told Channel 9 that a car slammed into a tractor-trailer on Southwest Boulevard in Newton before veering off the road and catching fire.

[ALSO READ: Tractor-trailer fire causes busy interstate ramp to shut down]

Witnesses attempted to rescue the driver from the car.

“I saw a car flying through the air hitting the tree,” witness Jamine Dancey said. “I got out and walked down there and that’s when I saw the flames on the car come up.“

[ALSO READ: Drivers stuck for hours after tractor-trailer fire shuts down I-77 in Huntersville]

The driver of the car, Rocky Brett Hilton, 36, of Maiden, was pronounced deceased at the scene by Newton EMS.

Officials are still working to determine what caused the crash.

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