MEBANE – The N.C. Highway Patrol says a 16-year-old boy is dead after the car he was driving struck a rock wall and overturned.

The Times-News of Burlington reports the patrol says Desmond Piccini of Mebane was driving a car in Orange County when the vehicle crossed the center line, struck a rock wall and came to rest on the hood.

A passenger, 16-year-old McCray Williams of Graham received minor injuries in Wednesday’s accident and was transported to Duke University Hospital. He was released later in the evening.

Officials believe speed was a factor, though an investigation into the accident is continuing.

Both Piccini and Williams were identified as junior at Eastern Alamance High School.