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Durham authorities investigating fatal pedestrian crash

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol saus Brian Gene Long, 30, of Durham was killed Monday when he was struck from behind by a Jeep on Guess Road just outside the Durham city limit.

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DURHAM, N.C. — The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash involving a man who was hit while walking along Guess Road just outside of Durham's city limit, Monday afternoon.

Highway Patrol spokesman 1st Sgt. Jeff Gordon said a preliminary investigation found that Brian Gene Long, 30, of Durham was walking southbound in the road around 12:15 p.m., when a Jeep Grand Cherokee, driven by Elizabeth Ekberg, 22, struck him from behind and killed him.

A woman walking with Long, Kristen McLaughlin, had been walking on the shoulder and suffered minor injuries, Gordon said.

It's unclear what caused the crash, but Gordon said alcohol was not a factor. Investigators will meet with the Durham County District Attorney's Office to determine whether charges should be filed.

The wreck happened in front of the home of Charles Teasley, 86, who has lived in the area for more than 50 years.

He said that he sees several people walking along the stretch of road each week and has always worried because the shoulder is narrow.

Monday's crash, however, is the first he's seen, he said.

"I don't think they have enough shoulder down there. It's definitely dangerous," he said.

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