Troopers: 16-year-old killed, 12-year-old hurt in Watauga Co. crash

WATAUGA COUNTY, N.C. — The Highway Patrol was investigating after a single-vehicle crash left a teenager dead and his younger brother injured Sunday afternoon in Watauga County.

A witness told troopers that the car veered off Mast Gap Road and went down an embankment near Cove Creek.

Troopers said Brandon Aldridge, 16, of Foscoe, was traveling north on Mast Gap Road when he rounded a curve and went left of center. His 2005 Subaru sedan ran off the road to the left, down an embankment, struck a tree which tore the roof off and then nose-dived into a creek.

Investigators said Aldridge died at the scene and it took an hour to free him from the wreckage.

Aldridge’s 12-year-old brother was standing in the open back seat of the car when officials arrived and was yelling that his brother was hurt, according to troopers.

Officials told Channel 9 that the 12-year-old has non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to Watauga Medical Center to be evaluated.

The curve on Mast Gap Road has been the scene of many accidents, according to troopers. They also said speed or rain could have been factors in the crash.

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