Authorities said a Salisbury man injured Tuesday told them he blacked out during the two-vehicle collision in western Rowan County.
Chase Adkins, 20, of Airport Road, and friend, Brandon Gable, 21, also of Airport Road, were traveling on N.C. 152 near Shinn Farm Road, near the Iredell County line when the collision occurred. Adkins traveled into the path of an oncoming vehicle driven by Mark Ramos, 41, of Mint Hill. The N.C. Highway Patrol investigated the collision. Adkins told Trooper D.R. Morgan, he believed he blacked out and subsequently left his lane. Morgan said Adkins was not impaired. Both he and Gable were wearing seat belts.
Adkins, who received injuries and was taken to the hospital, was charged with driving left of center. He was expected to be released Wednesday from Carolinas Medical Center NorthEast. Gable was also sent to CMC-NorthEast. As of Wednesday, he was not listed as a patient.
Adkins was traveling under the posted 55 mph speed limit, Morgan said.
Ramos was not injured in the collision. His Dodge pickup received extensive damage to the front and side. Adkins’ Nissan was also heavily damaged.