Minor injuries

reported in

asleep-at-the-wheel crash

Only minor injuries were reported in a Thursday morning collision on U.S. 421 near the Walls Road intersection.

Kenneth Wayne Brown, 38, of Deep Gap, told the investigating officer Trooper A. Biddix of the N.C. Highway Patrol, that he had fallen asleep behind the wheel of the 1998 Dodge truck at approximately 5:35 a.m.

Brown's northbound vehicle crossed the center line colliding with a 2003 Pontiac driven by Mary Wanda Wilson, 56, of Trade, Tenn. The front right corners of the vehicles collided, but it was not a direct head-on impact.

Both drivers were wearing seatbelts. Biddix said both were traveling at or below the posted speed limit of 55 mph. Brown was uninjured. Wilson suffered minor injuries and was transported to Watauga Medical Center via Watauga Rescue Squad.

Cove Creek Fire Department and Watauga County Sheriff's Office also responded to the scene.

Brown was charged with left of center and an open container violation. Biddix said Brown had not been drinking at the time of the collision, however, an open alcohol container was present in Brown’s truck.

By Melanie Davis, staff writer