Man Charged With Two Fatalities In Iredell County Has History Of DWI Convictions

A man accused of driving while impaired and causing a crash that killed two others in Iredell County has a history of DWI convictions.

Benjamin Wesley Overton, age 31 of Forsyth County, was given a $2.5 million bond at the Iredell County Detention Center following the deadly crash on Saturday, April 19. He was charged with two counts of felony death by vehicle, driving while impaired, driving while license revoked, and careless and reckless driving.

The Highway Patrol says Overton was speeding and impaired Saturday night when he hit a Kia Sportage near mile marker 62 on I-77. It caused the car to flip into a guardrail.

The impact killed Jessica Lyndsay Horton and Patricia Marie Osorno, both age 47.

Overton had four prior DWI convictions from 2014 to 2022.

He also had convictions for multiple other crimes in Forsyth County, including criminal breaking and entering of a vehicle. To date, Overton has already served more than three years in state prison.

He was released just eight months ago, in August 2024.

Now, State Highway Patrol investigators say additional charges are possible.