BOONE, N.C. – One teen died and four other teens were injured when a pick-up truck lost control and flipped several times Thursday night in Watauga County.
The single-vehicle crash occurred on Meat Camp Road near the Elk Knob State Park when the pick-up ran off the road and tried to correct, causing the truck to flip several times. Five teens were on board, including two riding in the bed of the truck.
Dillon Luther Critcher, 16, of Boone died in the wreck. Critcher was riding in the bed of the truck with another teen who was flown to a hospital in Johnson City, Tennessee.
The three teens inside the pick-up were taken to Watauga Medical Center. William J. Gainey, 16, was the driver of the truck, and officials said charges are pending.
The crash remains under investigation by the North Carolina Highway Patrol. It’s unclear if alcohol or speed played a factor.
North Carolina law allows people 16 years of age and older to ride in the back of a pick-up truck.
