The North Carolina Highway Patrol was investigating a crash on the morning of January 15 in Gastonia.
According to troopers, 26-year-old Landon Charles Turner was pronounced dead from the injuries he suffered when his car struck several trees near Sparrow Springs Road and Crowders Creek Road at about 2 a.m.
Police said that Turner and his passenger, 20-year-old Richard Cody Danieley were trapped inside the vehicle until another driver spotted the wreck and called 911 at about 6 a.m.
Investigators said that Danieley received transport to Gaston Memorial Hospital with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening.
Troopers said that speed and alcohol are believed to have been factors in the crash.