A North Carolina man died earlier this week in a fatal accident on 1-85 South near the Mecklenburg-Gaston County line.

According to authorities, the man was driving a rented Budget truck when he crashed into the back of a tractor trailer that was pulled over on the side of the freeway. The man died at the scene of the accident. The truck driver suffered personal injury and was transported to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, but was later released.

Investigators say the driver of the Budget truck likely never noticed the semi before he hit it, although the truck was surrounded by warning triangles.

It is unclear how fast the man was driving at the time of the crash. The speed limit in the area is 60 miles per hour.

Always be Vigilant

This accident illustrates just how important it is to always be vigilant while driving. Had the driver of the Budget truck noticed the semi earlier, he may have been able to avoid the truck accident altogether.

The need for caution is even greater when driving a large or unfamiliar vehicle. It isn't always easy to tell how long it will take a vehicle to stop.

Sadly, the driver of the Budget truck left behind a lot of loved ones when he died. He was just 59 years old and had a wife, seven children, 25 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

If you go out on the North Carolina freeway system, drive carefully. If you see a car, truck or emergency vehicle, move over and give them enough space. Together, we can all help make our roadways safer.

Source: Gaston Gazette, "Gastonia Man Dies in Truck Wreck," Wade Allen, Feb. 7, 2010.