Teen Driver Charged In Fatal Onslow County Wreck

A teenager from Maysville has been charged in connection to a three-car crash on August 13 in which one man suffered fatal personal injuries, according to warrants on file at the Onslow County Magistrate’s Office.

On August 23, the North Carolina Highway Patrol charged 17-year-old Geoffrey Carrio with misdemeanor death by vehicle and driving the wrong way on a dual lane.

Carrio has been accused of unintentionally causing the death of 53-year-old Swansboro resident Brynn T. Ashton while driving on the wrong side of the road on Belgrade Swansboro Road shortly before 4 p.m. on August 13, according to warrants.

Carrio was traveling in a 1993 Ford Ranger when he crossed the center line and sideswiped a 1996 Ford Explorer driven by Swansboro resident Shirley Wetherington. He continued along the left side of the road and collided with a 2002 Toyota driven by Ashton. His daughter, 26-year-old Rachel Ashton, was a passenger in the vehicle.

The Ashtons were transported to Onslow Memorial Hospital. Brynn then received air transport to Pitt Memorial Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Rachel Ashton was released after treatment for minor injuries.

Wetherington was uninjured in the accident.

Investigators say alcohol was not considered to be a factor and Carrio is believed to have fallen asleep at the wheel.