Iredell County – A quiet morning on Interstate 40 turned tragic on Monday when 78‑year‑old Lee Glover of Morganton died after the SUV he was driving veered off the road and flipped over in a violent rollover. The crash happened just before 10 a.m. near mile marker 154 while Glover was heading eastbound. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol found his 2010 Toyota Highlander on its roof, badly damaged along the highway shoulder.
Troopers said Glover was not wearing a seatbelt, and he died at the scene from the injuries he suffered in the crash. Riding with him was Catherine Glover, also of Morganton, seated in the front passenger seat. First responders rushed her to a nearby hospital with injuries described as non‑life‑threatening, but serious enough to require medical care.
Highway Patrol investigators concluded that Glover lost control of the vehicle, which left the pavement, struck an embankment and rolled several times before coming to rest. Weather and road conditions were clear, and alcohol was not believed to be a factor. However, troopers noted that Glover was likely traveling faster than was safe for the conditions at the time of the crash.
Traffic on I‑40 continued to flow through the scene while investigators worked, and there were no major delays reported during the response. Local law enforcement and highway officials expressed sympathy for the family of the deceased and hopes for the recovery of the injured passenger.
Friends and relatives remember Lee Glover as a longtime Morganton resident who valued time with family, and many in the community have shared condolences following news of the fatal crash. The Highway Patrol continues to urge drivers to always wear seatbelts and adjust speed to match conditions on the road.
