HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — According to co-workers, truck driver Kenny Maddox had nearly 20 years of experience behind the wheel.
“Kenny loved his job, he loved trucking more than anybody I’ve ever seen,” said colleague Wade Ellington, who worked with Maddox at Mecklenburg Transportation, LLC.
The company mainly hauls fabricated steel up and down the East Coast. On Friday, company officials say Maddox was hauling a loaded trailer from Ohio to Charleston.
“He made it to Mt. Airy, N.C. He took his 10-hour break there, stayed the night, woke up and within 29 minutes of him driving, that happened,” Ellington said.
North Carolina Highway Patrol said as Maddox’ tractor-trailer began to merge from I-77 South onto I-485 near Huntersville, it struck a car that had been left disabled on the on-ramp.
Troopers say the impact sent the tractor-trailer crashing into the wall of the Northlake Centre Parkway overpass, where it burst into flames.
Troopers say Maddox was pronounced dead at the scene. Ellington says he leaves behind six children and five grandkids.
“It was heartbreaking," Ellington said. "I mean I talked to him as an employee, as a friend. He would do anything in the world for any of us. Like it hurt, still does."
Through a FaceTime interview Monday, Ellington told NBC Charlotte that Maddox was not only a loyal driver, but a dependable friend. Ellington has now started a GoFundMe page to help support his family.
“School…I mean they got so much and I know it’s going to be hard to do it without their dad there,” he says.
Troopers say no charges have been filed yet for the person who abandoned their car, but say they plan to meet with the District Attorney this week.
