It happened around 12:30 a.m. in the 1300 block of NC-54 near Barbee Road - that's south of I-40 and west of Highway 55.
Ryan Williams, 40, of Durham was pronounced dead at the scene.
A Toyota Corolla traveling in the eastbound lanes struck Williams first and he was then hit by two additional vehicles.
No charges have been filed, but the accident remains under investigation.