Woman killed in hit-and-run following wrong way crash on I-40 in New Hanover County

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Moore County woman was killed Wednesday night after a two-vehicle crash and subsequent hit-and-run on Interstate 40 near mile marker 415 in New Hanover County, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

Troopers say the crash happened around 9:15 p.m. when a driver traveling west in the eastbound lanes struck another vehicle. Both vehicles went off the road and came to rest on the shoulder.

Investigators say after the collision, the driver of the wrong-way vehicle, identified as 72-year-old Vilma Clay of Cameron, got out of her car and was in the road when she was hit by another vehicle that did not stop.

Clay was pronounced dead at the scene.

Troopers are investigating the incident as two separate crashes, the initial two-vehicle collision and the hit-and-run fatality.

Anyone who may have witnessed the crash or has information is asked to contact the NCSHP at 910-395-3917.