Gastonia, N.C. - January 6, 2023: Officers from the Gastonia Police Department (GPD) – Traffic Enforcement Bureau continue to investigate a single-vehicle fatal collision that occurred in the 1700 block of Lowell Bethesda Road. The deceased and sole occupant of the vehicle has been identified as Eddie Dean Smith, age 65, of Spencer Mountain.
At 5 pm yesterday evening (January 5), a resident who was walking their dog along the banks of Duharts Creek saw Smith’s 2002 Dodge Ram pick-up truck upside down and submerged in the creek. First responders located Smith deceased inside his truck.
The preliminary investigation has determined that Smith was traveling northbound on Lowell Bethesda Road. For reasons still under investigation, Smith’s truck crossed the double-yellow line, left the roadway, and entered Duharts Creek. After entering the creek, Smith’s truck floated east in the creek for about 100 yards before coming to rest.
Investigators further determined that Smith was reported missing by his family at approximately 4 pm on January 4. Investigators believe the collision may have occurred between 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. during the heavy rain the area received on Wednesday, January 4.
This collision remains under investigation. Investigators are asking anyone who may have been traveling in the 1700 block of Lowell Bethesda Road on January 4 between 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. and who may have seen anything unusual to contact investigators at 704-842-5165.
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