A Burke County man was killed in a motorcycle crash Tuesday (August 29). The deceased is 28-year-old Matthew Dewayne Lunsford of Morganton.

Tuesday at approximately 6:30 p.m., the North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to Interstate 40 West in Burke County near Carolina Street SE (Mile Marker 111).  A 2000 Yamaha motorcycle traveling west in the right lane, attempted to merge into the left lane and struck a 2011 GMC Yukon traveling in the left lane. 

The driver of the motorcycle, Matthew Dewayne Lunsford, was ejected from the motorcycle and struck by the Yukon. He was transported by EMS to UNC Health Blue Ridge, in Morganton, where he passed away from his injuries.   

 The driver of the Yukon, a Shelby resident, was not injured. During the on-scene investigation, the roadway was closed in the area for approximately one hour.  No charges will be filed in this case.