North Carolina Wildlife officials released the cause of Thursday’s deadly boat accident on Badin Lake.

Officials said the driver of the boat, 48-year-old James Mark McDowell, lost control after something hit him in the eye.

They said McDowell reached up to his eye and the wheel spun quickly to the right and the boat crashed into the railroad embankment.

The passenger, Barry Simmons, was ejected and run over by the boat.  Simmons died on the scene, officials said.

Investigators said McDowell was not going too fast when the crash happened.

McDowell was released from the hospital after suffering minor injuries.

Neighbors said McDowell is not known to be reckless. 

"I know that guy that drives that boat," Greg Belk said from his home on Beach Road, "and he don't fly around out here."