Durham police said the accident happened at about 3:30 p.m. when a Ford Explorer driven by Matias Varela Barron, 32, of Raleigh ran off the left side of the road. According to investigators, Barron then overcorrected, causing the Explorer to overturn at least four times and land upside down on a guardrail.
A passenger in the vehicle, Orlando Laureano Ramon, 23, of Raleigh, was ejected from the vehicle. Ramon, who authorities said was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Barron was taken to Duke University Hospital for treatment of minor injuries. Authorities said Barron was wearing a seat belt.
Police said speed was a factor in the accident. No charges have been filed, but the investigation is ongoing.
The accident slowed traffic on I-540 for almost three hours.
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