A 22-year-old Newton man, Isrrael Suarez-Hernandez, sustained critical injuries Saturday night following a head-on collision on Settlemyer Bridge Road near White Oak Drive.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol reported that the crash occurred around 9:10 p.m. on October 25.
Officials said a 2019 Nissan Altima, traveling eastbound, crossed the center line and collided with a westbound 2018 Infiniti Q50, which Suarez-Hernandez was driving.
The driver of the Nissan, 40-year-old Christopher Shea Houser of Newton, died at the scene.
Authorities noted that Houser was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
Suarez-Hernandez was airlifted to a nearby hospital in critical condition.
One adult passenger and two children who were in the Infiniti also suffered life-threatening injuries and were transported to the hospital for treatment.
Investigators indicated that speed and impairment were contributing factors in the crash.
Despite the severity of the collision, authorities confirmed that no charges will be filed.
Settlemyer Bridge Road was closed for several hours while officials conducted their investigation, but has since reopened.
The crash serves as a somber reminder of the dangers of speeding and impaired driving on local roads.
Authorities continue to urge drivers to follow safety measures to prevent similar tragedies.
