Local

Troopers say weather played role in crash that killed man, woman

CLEVELAND COUNTY, N.C. — Authorities are investigating a crash that killed two people in Cleveland County early Tuesday.

[IMAGES: Two killed after tree hits car in Cleveland County]

A passerby spotted the wreck just before 4 a.m. on Whitaker Road near the Sandy Run Creek Bridge, between Mooresboro and Boiling Springs, west of Shelby.

Troopers told Channel 9 that two people were killed when the car they were in ran off the road and collided with a tree.

The victims were later identified as Isaiah Simon, 20, and Sarah Smith, 19.

Troopers said it appeared that weather played a role in the crash.

“I would say probably too fast for the conditions,” said 1st Sgt. Josh Dowdle with the Highway Patrol. “It was raining heavily at the time, and just looking at the damage on the vehicle, it looks like they were probably traveling at a good speed.”

Whitaker Road remained closed for hours while troopers investigated.