A 45-year-old man fell to his death Monday night after he tried to hitch a ride on the side of an 18-wheeler, according to The Associated Press.

Emmett Shane Clay died after he lost his grip and was hit by the truck as it negotiated a curve along Interstate 285 in Greenville County, SC, according to The AP.

Authorities said Clay had asked the trucker for a ride, but the driver told him he couldn't give rides to passengers. The driver didn't know Clay was on the truck when the accident occurred, The AP reported.