Man Charged After Fatal Crash In Caldwell County

One person was killed in an early morning accident Sunday in Caldwell County. The deceased is 44-year-old James Darrell Roten of North Wilkesboro.

At about 12:40 a.m. Sunday, the N.C. State Highway Patrol responded to the crash on Abington Road, near Beecher Anderson Road. A southbound 1997 Ford Thunderbird on Abington Road ran off the road to the right, collided with a tree, and overturned. The driver, 21-year-old Ethan Trent Roten of Hamptonville, was not injured. He was wearing a seatbelt. James Roten, who was a passenger in the front seat, was partially ejected and was pinned under the vehicle. He was not wearing a seatbelt. James Roten passed away at the scene. The rear seat passenger, 27-year-old Timberly Yelton of Morganton, was partially ejected and was pinned under the vehicle. She was not wearing a seatbelt. Ms. Yelton was taken to Caldwell Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Ethan Roten was charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle, driving while license revoked, and a lane control violation. The collision remains under investigation.

Story: Ralph Mangum-WHKY