GASTON COUNTY, N.C. — A portion of Interstate 85 was shut down early Thursday morning while Belmont police and the North Carolina Highway Patrol investigated a deadly wreck.
The crash, involving a car and a tractor-trailer, happened around 3:45 a.m. in the southbound lanes near Beatty Drive, close to Mount Holly and just past the Catawba River Bridge.
Police said Maily Xyong was driving a Ford SUV and fell asleep at the wheel. The SUV drove off the right-hand side of the road and hit the disabled tractor-trailer.
Police said Xyong's passenger, Hieng Chea, was killed in the crash.
Xyong was taken to the hospital and was treated for minor injuries.
Troopers blocked one lane, as well as the exit 27 ramp, for hours before reopening before 11 a.m.
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