Local

Icy road blamed for crash that killed 28-year-old man

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Power is back on but one lane of Eastway Drive is still closed after a crash that killed a 28-year-old man.

A passenger is still in the hospital.

Thomas Lyall was driving a Jeep on an icy stretch of the road, lost control and hit a utility pole around 2 a.m. Friday.

Lyall studies Chinese at Appalachian State University. He was a lab assistant at Carolina's Healthcare System.

Police said Lyall was driving too fast when he hit the pole.

They said alcohol was also a factor.

Lyall's friend Joseph Kizina was in the passenger seat. He is in fair condition at the hospital.

Channel 9 crews got stuck in the ice trying to cover the story.

Channel 9 learned the ambulance responding to the wreck also got stuck on the ice.

It took about 20 minutes to free it.

One neighbor said driving on Eastway Drive was hazardous.

"Walking it's OK," said Leticia Medelim.  "I have been seeing a lot of cars just sliding."

Repair crews began work in the darkness to replace the pole that was smashed in three places.

Chopper 9 flew over the crash as crews worked to repair the line.

Crews told Channel 9 the ice was a hazard for them too and it slowed their work to repair the line.

They finally restored power for some people here at about 4 p.m.

Channel 9 was there with one shop owner as power was restored. He didn't want to go on camera, but said he was thrilled the power was restored, but also troubled that someone died.
 
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