ONES COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – Authorities say a 13-year-old autistic girl who was reported missing last night was killed by a dump truck.
Jones County Sheriff Matt Wineman says shortly after 7:00 a.m. Maddie Benson’s body was found on 10 Mile Fork Road.
The teenager, who had autism and nonverbal, was last seen around 10:00 p.m. Monday night.
“This is not how we want any search to end,” said the sheriff. “To have a young life taken in any manner is tragic, and my thoughts and prayers are with Maddie’s family.”
Troopers say the girl was walking down the middle of the highway around 4:30 a.m. when she was hit by a passing dump truck. The driver thought he hit an animal.
He and another motorist searched the area, but couldn’t find anything.
The Highway Patrol says that other driver then returned after sunrise and found the girl’s body in a deep ditch. They notified law enforcement and the dump truck driver, who returned to the scene.
Troopers say no charges are being filed again the driver of the dump truck.
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