VALE –– A Monday morning vehicle crash resulted in the death of a 59-year-old man.

According to Master Trooper Christopher Casey of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, NCSHP personnel responded at about 7:20 a.m. to investigate the fatal collision. It occurred in the rural Vale area at the intersection of NC-18 and NC-10. 

“A 2019 Dodge ‘Ram’ truck, traveling west on NC-10, failed to stop at a stop sign and was struck by a 1997 Dodge van, traveling south on NC-18,” Casey states in his release. “This collision caused the van to overturn.”

He adds that the driver of the truck, Jose Vargas Moreno, 31, of Dobson, and three passengers were not injured. But the driver of the van, Barry Wilson McKee of Lawndale, succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Moreno was arrested and charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle; having no operator’s license; and failure to yield. He received a $15,000 bond and is being held at the Lincoln County Detention Center.

“The initial investigation does not indicate impairment or speed to be contributing factors in the collision,” Casey states. “During the on-scene investigation, the roadway was closed in the area for several hours.”