One Dead In Early Morning Crash In Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, NC -- The passenger of a car driven by a man under the influence is dead after a predawn single car accident in North Charlotte, according to Charlotte police.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officers responding to a call just before 2 a.m. July 21 found a Dodge Challenger on its roof on Austin Drive. CMPD determined that the car’s driver, Benjamin James Graves, 23, was speeding when he lost control and drove off the left side of the road, striking a fence and a tree, then rotating on a telephone pole before the car landed on its roof.

Graves’ front seat passenger, who has not yet been named by authorities, was pronounced dead on the scene. Graves was taken to the hospital with serious injuries. Both were wearing seat belts, according to CMPD.

»SIGN UP: Get Patch’s daily newsletter and real-time news alerts, or like us on Facebook. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.

Graves has been charged with driving while impaired.

CMPD asks that anyone with information about this indice call Detective Reibold at 704-432-2169.

Photo via Pixabay