Troopers: Alcohol, drugs suspected in deadly wrong-way crash on I-85

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Authorities said alcohol and drugs are suspected in a deadly wrong-way crash early Saturday morning in the southbound lanes of Interstate 85 in north Charlotte, near Statesville Avenue.

Officials told Channel 9 that three cars were involved in the accident.

Troopers confirmed that the driver of the car that was going the wrong way, Kenny Chu, 22, died. The driver of the second car, Kristen Adams, was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the third car, Dennis Hall, was not hurt.

Troopers cleared the scene around 7:30 a.m. Saturday and told Channel 9 that Chu had two previous DWI charges.

It was the second wrong-way crash in 24 hours on I-85 in Charlotte.

Troopers said that on Friday morning, a wrong-way driver hit another vehicle near Billy Graham Parkway. Both drivers died in the crash, and a third person was taken to the hospital in critical condition.

Investigators said alcohol played a role in that crash.

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