Columbus County, North Carolina – A 21-year-old man is facing multiple criminal charges following a deadly crash on U.S. Highway 74 last month that claimed the life of another driver. Authorities allege the crash was caused by impaired driving and excessive speed.
According to court documents, Jordan Alexander Kelly has been charged in connection with the fatal collision that occurred in the early morning hours of January 25. The incident remains under active investigation by state officials.
Crash Happened in Early Morning Hours
Officials with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said the crash took place at approximately 1:43 a.m. on January 25 along U.S. 74 in Columbus County.
Investigators reported that both vehicles were traveling westbound at the time of the collision. Authorities allege that Kelly’s vehicle rear-ended another vehicle driven by Ian Snowten. According to officials, Snowten was driving well below the posted speed limit, while Kelly was traveling significantly above it.
The force of the impact resulted in fatal injuries to Snowten. Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but Snowten was pronounced dead following the crash.
Allegations of Impairment
Arrest warrants state that Kelly was operating the vehicle “while subject to an impairing substance,” and that the impairment directly contributed to the fatal crash. Law enforcement officials said Kelly was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.
Authorities confirmed that Kelly’s blood-alcohol concentration (BAC) measured 0.09, which exceeds North Carolina’s legal limit of 0.08 for drivers aged 21 and older. Court documents further allege that excessive speed and impairment were key contributing factors in the crash.
Charges Filed Against Driver
Kelly now faces several serious charges related to the collision, including:
- Felony death by vehicle
- Misdemeanor death by vehicle
- Reckless driving with wanton disregard
- Exceeding the posted speed limit
- Failure to reduce speed
- Failure to wear a seat belt as the driver
Felony death by vehicle charges are typically filed when a driver unintentionally causes the death of another person while violating impaired driving laws.
Court Appearance and Custody Status
According to court records, Kelly appeared in court on Friday, February 13, at 11 a.m. During the hearing, he waived his right to counsel. Officials confirmed that he remains in custody without bond.
The decision to deny bond indicates the seriousness of the charges and the circumstances surrounding the case. Additional court proceedings are expected in the coming weeks.
Investigation Ongoing
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol stated that the crash investigation remains ongoing. Authorities continue reviewing evidence, including crash reconstruction findings and witness statements, to determine the full scope of events leading up to the collision.
Fatal crashes involving impaired driving remain a major concern for law enforcement agencies across the state. Officials continue to urge drivers to avoid operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol or other impairing substances and to obey posted speed limits.
Further updates are expected as the case proceeds through the legal system.
