SALISBURY — A Salisbury man has been cleared of charges nearly two years after his sister-in-law was killed in a nighttime ATV accident.

A Rowan County jury found 36-year-old Christopher Brian McDonald not guilty in a January trial.

McDonald was charged in May 2016 with felony death by vehicle in the death of Laura Gorman, 32, of Lexington.

He also was initially charged with driving while impaired, reckless driving, and having no insurance and no registration. Those charges were dismissed by the District Attorney’s Office in July 2016.

During the trial, which lasted two days, jurors learned that McDonald’s dog, Cooper, ran out in front of him. They determined that was the major factor in the accident.

Veterinary records which showed the dog’s, Cooper’s, injuries, were introduced into evidence during the trial.

Another key piece of evidence was McDonald’s blood alcohol content, which was 0.12, over the 0.08 legal limit.

The dog running in front of him weighed more in the jury’s not guilty decision than his intoxication level, officials said.

The N.C. Highway Patrol investigated the 2016 wreck, which occurred on Walton Road. Troopers said the accident was at 8:45 p.m. and that McDonald ran off the road, lost control and hit a metal mailbox. They said both McDonald and Gorman were thrown from the four-wheeler.

Gorman, who was not wearing a helmet, hit her head on asphalt and was taken to the hospital, where she died the next day.

McDonald confirmed that he was on his property and said his dog ran in front of him in the accident. He declined further comment.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.