Authorities in Alexander County are investigating a tragic single-vehicle crash that claimed the life of a Hiddenite woman late Friday night. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol reported that the accident happened around 10:15 p.m. on Rocky Springs Road, prompting a swift response from law enforcement and emergency crews. The quiet evening in the Hiddenite area was shattered when calls came in about a vehicle that had overturned off the roadway.
According to officials, the vehicle involved was a Toyota RAV4 traveling south on Rocky Springs Road. For reasons still under investigation, the SUV veered off the right side of the road. After leaving the roadway, the vehicle overturned multiple times before violently striking a tree. The impact caused extensive damage, and it was immediately clear to responding first responders that the crash was severe.
The driver, identified as 63-year-old Angela Brown of Hiddenite, was tragically ejected from the vehicle during the rollover. Authorities confirmed she was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, a factor that likely contributed to the fatal outcome. Despite the efforts of emergency personnel on the scene, Brown was pronounced dead shortly after their arrival. Her loss has left the community grieving and searching for answers.
Preliminary findings from the Highway Patrol indicate that neither excessive speed nor impairment appears to have contributed to the crash. Investigators are now shifting their focus to other possible factors, including road conditions or mechanical issues. The investigation remains active as authorities work to piece together what caused Brown’s vehicle to suddenly leave the roadway on an otherwise ordinary night.
As officers carried out their investigation on Friday night, Rocky Springs Road was closed for roughly two hours. Traffic was redirected while authorities documented the crash site, gathered evidence, and ensured the area was safe. Such road closures are common in fatal crashes, allowing officials to carefully review the scene and collect information that may be crucial to understanding how the tragedy unfolded.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol used the opportunity to remind the public of the life-saving importance of wearing seatbelts. Even on familiar roads and during routine trips, unexpected incidents can turn deadly without proper safety restraints. Brown’s death serves as a somber reminder of how quickly tragedy can strike. Authorities are asking anyone with information or who may have witnessed the crash to come forward as the investigation continues.
