I-40 eastbound lanes in Durham closed as crews take down highway sign after deadly pickup truck crash

DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — A deadly wreck early Sunday morning crash has shut down all eastbound lanes of Interstate 40 in one part of Durham, police say.

The closure is between the Page Road and Miami Boulevard exits and is expected to remain closed for several more hours, police say. The North Carolina Department of Transportation's traffic map originally showed it was scheduled to end around 9 a.m., but the time was pushed back to noon.

According to the Durham Police Department, the crash happened around 12:45 a.m. Sunday. A Raleigh man, 45-year-old Hector Reyna Gutierrez, was driving a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck east on I-40 when he ran off the right side of the road near the Page Road exit (Exit 282).

Gutierrez then struck a concrete beam and support beams for an overhead highway sign. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Around 10:45 Sunday morning, NCDOT crews could be seen taking the overhead highway sign down using a crane. As of 11:40 a.m., workers are still on scene making emergency repairs.

Durham police say that stretch of eastbound I-40 is not expected to reopen for a few more hours.

The NCDOT website recommends those needing to continue east on I-40 take the Miami Boulevard exit (Exit 281), turn left onto S. Miami Boulevard, turn left onto Page Road and then take the ramp to get back on I-40.

The Durham Police Department says the investigation into the crash is ongoing. Anyone with information that may help is asked to call Investigator J.D. Colquitt at (919) 560-4935 ext. 29450.