Fatal Car Crash in Caldwell County
On Monday, September 26, at approximately 1:25 p.m., the NC State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision in Caldwell County on Adako Road near Brown Mountain Beach Road.
A 2009 Honda Civic was traveling south on Adako Road, crossed the centerline, and collided with a northbound 2002 Toyota Tacoma. The 16-year-old driver of the Honda, and an 18-year-old passenger, received minor injuries and were transported by EMS to Caldwell Memorial Hospital in Lenoir. Both were restrained by seat belts. The driver of the Toyota, Harold Lee Mann Jr., 53, of Lenoir, succumbed to his injuries at the scene. A front-seat passenger, Alton Philyaw, 72, of Lenoir, received serious injuries and was transported by medical helicopter to Johnson City Medical Center in Tennessee. Neither were restrained by a seatbelt, and both were ejected from the vehicle. Charges are pending the ongoing investigation.
