The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal collision in Burke County. As of 6:30 p.m. today (July 17) westbound lanes of I-40 near the 111-mile marker were closed. 

As of the time of the news release from Highway Patrol (6:36 p.m.), the North Carolina Department of Transportation was assisting with rerouting traffic to US 70.  Motorists were urged to avoid the area and find an alternate route.

Update: as of 7:46 p.m. all lanes were open on Interstate 40 in the area of the crash. 

[Photo courtesy of Kristen Mahoney]