NORTH CAROLINA — Two passengers died early Thursday morning after a single-car crash involving an impaired driver in Catawba County.
The victims were identified as 19-year-old Savanah Saine of Valdese and an unnamed young girl.
The driver, 21-year-old Braiden Cole, was charged with driving while impaired and two counts of felony death by vehicle.
The crash occurred around 2:15 a.m. on July 17 on Boggs Road near Hunsucker Drive.
Troopers said Cole lost control while traveling west, crossed the center line, went off the left side of the road, flipped, and collided with several trees.
Cole sustained minor injuries, and the front seat passenger was seriously injured; both were taken to the hospital. Saine and the young girl, who were in the backseat, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities closed the road for several hours during the investigation.
