The NC Highway Patrol says speed was a contributing factor in a fatal single vehicle accident near Clayton. The accident was reported at 8:51pm Tuesday on Highway 42 East between Motorcycle Road and Verona Drive.
Troopers said a 2014 BMW was traveling westbound on Highway 42 East at approximately 70 mph in a 55 mph zone. The driver of the passenger car, Jason Marcus Lanier, 40, of Selma, went left of center and collided with a traffic island with the left side of his vehicle. The BMW then traveled off Highway 42 on the left, struck a ditch embankment, and overturned on its left side. Lanier, who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected. There were no other occupants in the car.
Trooper D.K. Douglas is investigating the crash.
