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Troopers looking at whether cellphone was distraction in deadly crash

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — The Highway Patrol in Burke County is trying to determine if a driver involved in a head-on crash early Monday morning was distracted by his cellphone.

The driver caused a head-on collision on Highway 64, outside of Hopewell Family Medicine clinic.

PHOTOS: Troopers investigating if cellphone was distraction in head-on crash

The wreck happened around 10 a.m. on Highway 64, about 10 miles south of Morganton.

Dalton Rhom, 20, who was driving a 2016 Dodge Charger that crossed the center line, was airlifted to Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville, troopers said. He is in critical condition.

Edward Baren Jr., 64,  the driver of a 1992 Lexus, died en route to the hospital.

Troopers said both drivers suffered life-threatening injuries after one car crossed the center line, slamming into the other vehicle.

Health care workers at a nearby medical clinic rushed to help both men.

"I said, ‘Are you OK, sir? Don't worry, help is on the way, help is on the way. You'll be fine, everything will be OK,’” said Vimal Patel who works at Hopewell Family Medicine.

Troopers seized the cellphone of one of the drivers to determine if he was distracted at the time, and an accident reconstruction team will help with the investigation.

"Anything that takes your eyes off the road and causes you to have to think about something other than driving can lead to this," Aaron Johnson of NC Highway Patrol said.

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