ROCKWELL — The deceased victim in Tuesday’s vehicle accident near East Rowan High School was identified by N.C. State Highway Patrol in a release on Wednesday.  

Kimberly Anita Lynn Nesslage, 23, of Huntersville, was killed as a result of the two-vehicle collision which occurred at approximately 9:14 p.m. on Hwy. 52 near St. Lukes Church Road.

Initially, the highway patrol was notified of a single-vehicle collision involving a Ford Mustang with two occupants that was in a ditch on Wilcoy Road near the town of Rockwell in Rowan County.

A nearby trooper was reportedly dispatched, and at 9:17 p.m., the responding trooper observed the Mustang traveling north on Red Road, which intersects with Wilcoy Road where the initial crash took place.

The Mustang driver was reportedly unable to maintain lane control and crossed the center line of the roadway several times as the trooper followed. The vehicle reportedly turned right onto Crescent Road and traveled off the left side of the roadway before merging back into the correct lane.

The responding trooper activated emergency lights and siren to perform a traffic stop. The driver did not to stop and accelerated away from the trooper before making a left turn onto Hwy. 52.

A pursuit reportedly began at that time, and the Mustang driver continued north on Hwy. 52 in excess of 100 mph.

After approximately 1.5 miles, the driver reportedly attempted to pass a Honda passenger vehicle near the intersection of St. Lukes Church Road, but sideswiped the Honda, before losing control and running off the right side of the roadway where the Mustang struck a brick and concrete sign in front of East Rowan High School. The Mustang overturned, ejecting one occupant while the other remained in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Another occupant, John Paul Beinkampen, 24, of Salisbury, was transported to a local hospital with injuries described as “serious.”

No troopers or third parties were injured during the incident. Investigators are still working to determine which occupant was driving the vehicle during the pursuit and subsequent crash.

On Wednesday, a friend of the deceased described Nesslage as “a loving wife, an amazing mother and an amazing friend.”

“She was the kind of person that would always put others before herself,” the friend said.

Nesslage’s brother added that “she had the biggest heart” and was all love.

“She was kind would give her last dollar to anyone in need. She was and amazing mother/daughter/sister/friend and an even better person,” he said. “This one hurt a lot. She was just a passenger on her way home. She didn’t deserve this.”

Nesslage leaves behind a daughter that turned one in December.