GASTONIA, N.C. — An 11-year-old boy was killed in a single-vehicle wreck Wednesday night in Gastonia at Cabin Street and Pinhook Loop Road, officials said.
There were five people in the vehicle that was going too fast before hitting a pole. Three people were taken to the hospital while one refused treatment.
The 11-year-old boy was identified as Manuel Lee McCullen, according to arrest records.
Eyewitness News reporter Blake Hanson spoke with friends of McMullen. They have been brining flowers and toys to a memorial on Pinhook Loop Road.
The driver, Jason Pruitt, 24. is facing several felony charges and was taken into custody. He was placed under a $500,000 bond.
There were 16- and 15-year-old girls in the backseat, as well as the boy that died.
A male was in the front seat. No one was wearing a seat belt.
Pruitt was charged with involuntary manslaughter, misdemeanor death by vehicle, driving without a license, child abuse, reckless driving, failure to wear a seat belt and failure to have a passenger under the age of 16 wear a seat belt.
On Eyewitness News at 5 p.m., Channel 9 has uncovered a dramatic increase in fatal crashes. Hanson will break down the numbers in his full report.
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