Investigators from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and the Martin County Sheriff’s Office are seeking the assistance of the public with a death investigation. On Wednesday, August 10, 2016, Zachary Clyde Powell, age 43, was found deceased in the roadway on US-64 East near mile marker 502 in Robersonville, NC. Powell appeared to have been struck by a vehicle which fled the scene.

Powell was last seen alive on Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at approximately 11:00 p.m., walking south on Wake Forest Road in the area of a Denny’s Restaurant near the intersection of Wake Forest Road and I-440 in Raleigh, NC. Investigators believe that Powell may have hitchhiked on I-440 and US-64 to reach Robersonville, NC. Powell was a white male, approximately 5’11” tall, 180 pounds, with a long brown ponytail and a long grey goatee. He had a full sleeve tattoo on his right arm and tattoos on his right lower leg. He was last seen wearing a grey t-shirt with “I’m Awesome” written across the chest, blue-jean shorts, and no shoes.

If you have any information regarding Powell’s travels or whereabouts after 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 9, 2016, please contact the North Carolina State Highway Patrol or the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

NC State Highway Patrol, Troop A: 252-758-5300

Martin County Sheriff’s Office: 252-789-4555