One passenger was killed in a wreck that shut down I-85 in Orange County for several hours Tuesday evening.
North Carolina Highway Patrol officials say the fatality occurred as part of a three-vehicle collision on I-85 near mile-marker 165 when a passenger van ran off the right shoulder and struck the rear of a tractor-trailer, which was stationary at the time.
Authorities say the van then collided into a Toyota pickup truck, which caused the truck to overturn.
Officials say the front passenger of the van died as part of the crash. The driver of the van and pickup were transported to Duke with non-life-threatening injuries.
Troopers also say that witnesses described the operator of the van as driving careless and reckless prior to the collision. Investigators say they believe that alcohol was a factor in the case.
Robert Mace, the driver of the van, has been charged with felony death by a motor vehicle, felony serious injury by a motor vehicle, driving while impaired, careless and reckless driving, failure to maintain lane control and improper passing.
Troopers say the investigation is ongoing.
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