By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY ó A state medical examiner says a man found in his car down an embankment in August died from injuries he sustained in the crash.
Gary Lee Hamlet, 60, died as a result of ěmultiple blunt trauma injuriesî the report said.
Hamlet was found dead Aug. 5 in his 1988 Chevrolet Cavalier, which was sitting in a creek down an embankment along Mount Hope Church Road.
Though there were no eyewitnesses, but investigators said they believed the one-vehicle accident occurred sometime overnight.
Hamlet was traveling south on Mount Hope Church Road. After rounding a curve, he veered off the road to the right, a N.C. Highway Patrol trooper said at the time of the wreck.
Hamletís car ran down the embankment and into the creek.
Authorities believe Hamlet may have hit the dashboard, causing the injuries. He had several broken bones and bruises and other minor cuts, the autopsy report said.
There was no alcohol detected in his system, a toxicology report found.
Hamlet was wearing his seat belt, but Highway Patrol investigators determined it likely frayed in areas and tore upon impact.
Hamlet was a native of Mecklenburg County.
Contact reporter Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.