• 25
  • August
    2010

Speed and alcohol are believed to have been factors in a pickup crash that resulted in the death of a 17-year-old passenger and the 25-year-old driver. The accident occurred in early morning hours of August 10 on North College Drive near Montlieu Avenue in High Point.

According to police reports, Andrew Wade Smith was driving a pickup truck north on N. College Drive when he lost control of the vehicle and ran off the left side of the road. The truck struck a utility pole and a wrought iron fence that surrounds High Point University. Smith was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle.

The passenger in the pickup truck, Steven Zachary Rogers, was wearing his seatbelt and was trapped inside the truck after the collision. He was eventually freed by rescue workers and was taken to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, but later died from his injuries. Smith was initially taken to the same hospital and listed in serious condition, but later died from his injuries less than a week later.

Police believe the truck may have been speeding at close to 90 miles per hour before Smith lost control. The scene of the accident reportedly showed that he had crossed a concrete median and left tire impressions nearly 400 feet long. Judging by the markings, police estimated the truck was still traveling close to 50 miles per hour when it collided with the pole and the fence.

It is believed that both speed and alcohol were factors in the crash. Before his death, law enforcement indicated they expected to file criminal charges against Smith for driving under the influence.

Related Resources:

Crash kills local teenager (High Point Enterprise)