The crash happened on U.S. Highway 70 at Heart Drive.
CLAREMONT, N.C. (WBTV) - A man is dead and four others are hurt after a crash Saturday night in Catawba County, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
Troopers said the crash happened around 11 p.m. on U.S. Highway 70 at Heart Drive. A 2002 Honda Accord was traveling east on U.S. Highway 70, when the driver lost control, drove off the side of the road, and hit several trees.
The driver, Adriel Rodriguez, 21, of Kannapolis, was thrown from the car and taken by paramedics to a nearby hospital with minor injuries. A passenger, Rocky Houston, 20, of Conover, was thrown from the car and died at the scene. Three other passengers were also thrown from the car and taken to a nearby hospital with minor injuries.
None of the people inside the car were wearing a seatbelt.
Troopers said an initial investigation shows excessive speed and impairment to be contributing circumstances in the crash. During the on-scene investigation, U.S. Highway 70 was closed in the area for about three hours.
Charges are pending upon completion of the ongoing investigation and consultation with the Catawba County District Attorney’s Office.