Florida Man Killed After Being Struck by Tractor-Trailer on Interstate 20 in Newton County

NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. An 82-year-old Florida man was killed early Thursday after he was struck by a tractor-trailer while standing in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 20, according to the Newton County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies responded at approximately 4:15 a.m. on July 9 to a report of a pedestrian who had been hit on Interstate 20 eastbound near Exit 101.

According to the preliminary investigation, Bruce Bartenfelder, 82, was traveling through Newton County with his wife while towing a boat when they experienced mechanical problems.

Investigators said Bartenfelder pulled onto the right shoulder of the interstate and exited the vehicle. For reasons that remain under investigation, he was standing in the right eastbound travel lane when he was struck by an oncoming tractor-trailer.

Bartenfelder was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities said no charges are pending against the driver of the tractor-trailer at this time.