Morganton- On Friday, January 9th, at 08:33 p.m., the North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision on NC 181 near Fish Hatchery Road, in Burke county. A 2006 Ford F150 was traveling North on NC 181, drove off the roadway and collided with a tree.
The driver of the Ford, Yoan Anderson Danilo Chub Tzalam, of Newland was transported to UNC Health Blue Ridge- Morganton by EMS with critical injuries. The passenger, Joel Morales Ramirez, of Newland, succumbed to his injuries at the scene of the collision.
The initial investigation concluded speed and impairment were contributing factors to the collision.
After consultation with the District Attorney’s office, charges of Felony Death by Motor Vehicle, Driving While Impaired, Reckless Driving, are now pending against Mr. Tzalam.