A man was found dead inside his vehicle Sunday afternoon after a passerby spotted the car in the woods between Howard’s Mill Road and George P Road in Highfalls.
The caller told Sandhills Sentinel that he was driving on George P Road approaching the intersection with Howard’s Mill Road when he noticed the car off the road and in the trees.
According to authorities, the vehicle was traveling north on Howard’s Mill Road when it went off the road at the fork, traveled down an embankment, and struck a tree with enough force to eject the engine from the vehicle.
Unfortunately, the driver, the sole occupant of the car, did not survive the crash. It is unknown how long the car was there before it was called in, but authorities with N.C. State Highway Patrol confirmed that the driver, identified as 36-year-old Vincent Gonzalez of Robbins, was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.
It was also confirmed to Sandhills Sentinel that alcohol was not a contributing factor.
George P Road was closed off while the vehicle was retrieved from the woods.
Spivey’s Garage & Wrecker Service arrived on scene to remove the vehicle.
Moore County EMS, the Moore County Sheriff’s Department, High Falls Fire Department, Robbins Fire Department, and the N.C. Highway Patrol responded to the scene.
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~ Article and photos by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Megan Hall.
