The driver in a single-vehicle crash that claimed a passenger’s life early Wednesday has been charged, authorities said.
Philip Austin Baity, 31, was killed when the Nissan he was riding in left Castor Road and struck a tree around 1:39 a.m., the N.C. Highway Patrol said.
Mandi Newton, 34, of Rockwell, was intoxicated when the wreck happened, investigators said. She has been charged with felony death by vehicle, driving while impaired, failure to wear seat belt, and careless and reckless driving.
The vehicle was traveling west on Castor Road when the wreck happened.
Officials said neither Baity nor Newton was wearing a seat belt. It was not clear Wednesday what injuries Newton sustained. She was taken to Novant Health Rowan Medical Center.
Trooper C.T. Walker said Baity was trapped in the vehicle and died at the scene.