Courtesy: Red Oak Volunteer Fire Department
Courtesy: Red Oak Volunteer Fire DepartmentGREENVILLE, N.C. -
An East Carolina University student has died after being hit by a car during an accident along Highway 264 Westbound.
Investigators say it happened around 5:17am Saturday and left the highway blocked off for four hours near exit 73. That's when emergency responders say 20-year-old Robert Steven Barone Perez was traveling eastbound on Highway 264 toward Greenville in a Chevy Impala when he lost control and went through the guidewire, overturning and landing upright in the westbound lane.
Shortly after, a gray Chevy Blazer coming off of exit 73 struck the Chevy Impala head on at about 55mph.
Moments later, a black SUV hit the Chevy Blazer.
A some point during the incident Perez attempted to exit the vehicle and warn oncoming traffic of the accident. During that time, Perez was struck by an oncoming vehicle and thrown more than 150 feet.
Investigators believe Perez was then ran over by another oncoming vehicle.
The man suffered massive head trauma and was rushed to Vidant Medical Center where he later died.
All other victims involved only suffered minor injuries.
Highway Patrol, Pitt County Sheriff's deputies and Greenville police officers were called in to block the road.
Highway 264 reopened around 9am.
The incident is still under investigation.
