19-year-old dies in Wayne County wreck

A 19-year-old Clinton man died when the vehicle he was driving ran off a Wayne County road and overturned early Saturday, the state Highway Patrol said.

Zachary Bryan Howell's vehicle crashed on N.C. Highway 55, about 6.5 miles west of Mount Olive, around 1:30 a.m., troopers said. The vehicle ran off the right side of the road and struck a ditch and utility pole. The vehicle then traveled through a field and overturned.

Passenger Brandon Weston Joobhall, 19, sustained minor injuries.

Howell, of Hobbton Highway, was not wearing a seat belt and was speeding, troopers said.

The investigation into the wreck is on going, troopers said.