A man and an 11-year-old died Friday night in a three-vehicle crash in Caldwell County, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said.
The crash happened around 10:46 p.m. Friday on U.S. 64 at Union Baptist Road in Lenoir, according to the SHP.
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The SHP said a 2018 Ford F-150 was traveling east on U.S. 64, crossed the centerline and collided with a 2006 Honda Civic. The Ford ran off the road before hitting a guardrail and utility pole, according to the SHP.
The driver ran from the scene, according to state troopers.
After the initial crash, the SHP said a 2015 Ford F-250 going west on U.S. 64 collided with the Honda in the roadway.
Troopers found the driver of the Ford F-150, Matthew Frye, 20 of Hickory, in the woods nearby and took him into custody. He was not injured, the SHP said.
Frye is charged with two counts of felony death by motor vehicle, driving while impaired, driving after consuming alcohol younger than the age of 21 and improper passing.
More charges are pending against Frye.
Both people in the Honda died from their injured, according to the SHP:
- The driver, Pink Lackey, 78, of Lenoir, died at the scene.
- The 11-year-old boy, who was sitting in the front seat, also died at the scene.
The driver of the Ford F-250 was not injured, according to troopers.
The SHP said speed and impairment were contributing factors in the collision.