On Thursday, February 10, at approximately 7:55 a.m., the NC State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision in Burke County on NC 126 near North Powerhouse Road. A 1992 Subaru Legacy was traveling west on NC 126, ran off the road to the right, overcorrected, ran off the road to the left, and collided with a tree. The force of the impact broke the front and rear of the car into separate sections.
The driver, Joshua Gilbert, 28, of Morganton, was seriously injured and transported from the scene by medical helicopter to Mission Hospital in Asheville. He was restrained by a seatbelt. The passenger, Brandon Clinton Baldwin, 27, of Granite Falls, succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The initial investigation indicates excessive speed and reckless driving as contributing circumstances. Charges are pending the ongoing investigation and consultation with the Burke County District Attorney’s Office.