2 dead, 4 critically hurt when intoxicated driver crashes into golf cart, NC cops say

UPDATE: The North Carolina State Highway Patrol reports another passenger from the golf cart has died. Jada Marlowe, 13, of Statesville, died June 20, officials said. The original story is below.

Two people — including a 5-year-old — were killed and four others were critically injured when an intoxicated driver collided with a golf cart near Statesville, North Carolina, according to the N.C. State Highway Patrol.

Among the injured are three children, ages 2, 13 and 16, the highway patrol said in a news release.

The crash happened around 9:40 p.m. Monday, June 13, on Fort Dobbs Road near Dobbs Drive, north of Statesville, officials said. The area is about 45 miles north of Charlotte.

“A 2009 Honda Accord was traveling west on (Fort) Dobbs Road, crossed the centerline, and collided with a golf cart that was traveling east,” Master Trooper Jeffrey S. Swagger said in the release.

“The driver of the golf cart, Michael Shane Marlowe, 39, of Statesville, succumbed to his injuries at the scene. A passenger, Bentley Marlowe, 5, of Statesville, succumbed to his injuries at the scene.”

Investigators have not said how the two deceased may be related.

The four critically injured passengers of the golf cart were flown by helicopters to hospitals in Charlotte and Winston-Salem. Included among the four is an adult, age 26, officials said.

“The driver of the Honda, Austin Ray Harmon, 23, of Statesville, was not injured,” Swagger said.

“Harmon was arrested and charged with driving while impaired, two counts of felony death by vehicle, and three counts of felony serious injury by vehicle.”

This story was originally published June 14, 2022 at 6:59 AM with the headline "2 dead, 4 critically hurt when intoxicated driver crashes into golf cart, NC cops say."