By Shavonne Potts

Salisbury Post

A Salisbury man is in critical condition after his vehicle ran off the road and hit a tree Tuesday. The accident happened in the western part of Rowan County.

Jerry Lee Whitaker, 57, of 125 Wheatfield Lane, was traveling 70 mph in a 55 mph zone at the time of the accident said N.C. Highway Patrol Trooper W.D. Greene.

He said Whitaker lost control of the vehicle, which hit a fence and a tree. The single-car accident happened around 12:50 p.m. at 2125 Briggs Road.

Whitaker was flown to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. His brother, Allen Whitaker, 55, also of 125 Wheatfield Lane, was a passenger in the Toyota minivan.

Allen Whitaker was taken to Rowan Regional Medical Center where he is listed in good condition.

The road was blocked for a considerable time while troopers investigated.

Contact Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253 or spotts@salisburypost.com.