WEDDINGTON, N.C. -- The North Carolina Highway Patrol says they believe speed was a factor in the Friday crash that took the life of a teenager in Union County.
It happened at the intersection of Weddington Oaks and Antioch Church Roads around 5:45 p.m. Friday.
Highway Patrol says a 2005 Ford F-150 was traveling south on Antioch Church Road when the driver lost control as it approached a curb. The truck ran off the road and landed in a ditch. Four passengers were ejected from the truck. At least one passenger was wearing a seat belt.
According to troopers, five Weddington High School students were in the vehicle when it overturned and crashed.
Riley Layman, 17, of Matthews died at the scene. Troopers say Layman was not wearing a seat belt. Four others suffered serious, non-life threatening injuries.
The driver of the truck has been identified as Robert Wayne Cook III, 17, from Matthews. Passengers include Emily Leonard, 15, from Matthews, Marisa Marchese, 16, from Indian Trail, and Julia Kelly, 15, from Matthews.
Leonard and Marchese were both discharged from the hospital on Saturday.
Police say Cook faces a misdemeanor charge of death by motor vehicle.
