By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

CLEVELAND — A Kannapolis woman was killed minutes after leaving work at a local fabrication/supply company along U.S. 70 early Tuesday.

Samantha Hill, 42, died instantly, N.C. Highway Patrol officials said, after she pulled out into the path of a pickup truck around 7:11 a.m. She had just gotten off work at Gem Fabrication, a supplier of pre-engineered fire sprinkler systems piping and devices. She was a temporary employee there, said Trooper C.F. Rogers.

Her 1993 Honda Accord collided with a 1993 full-sized Chevrolet pickup driven by Ronald Lane, 57, of Cleveland.

It’s not clear why Hill pulled into the path of the pickup, Rogers said. He said it could’ve been because she’d worked all night and was fatigued. The sun had already risen at that time, so it wasn’t dark. Speed on the part of Lane was not a factor in the collision.

Rogers said Lane was traveling 50 to 55 mph, which is within the posted speed limit.

The Cleveland Police and Cleveland Volunteer Fire Department responded. Hill had to be cut from the vehicle, Rogers said.

Firefighters used equipment to pop open the driver’s side door of Hill’s car, which had the majority of the impact. Her car came to rest in the median, and the pickup came to rest on the eastbound side of U.S. 70.

Hill was wearing a seat belt. Rowan County Rescue Squad also responded.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.