Minor injuries sustained

in Tuesday evening wreck
By Melanie Marshall

An Iron Station man has been charged with driving while impaired and driving left of center after an accident on U.S. 321 Tuesday evening.

Todd Link, 22, was traveling northbound on the 6400 block of U.S. 321 at 5:30 p.m. This section of road runs along the Watauga River in Sugar Grove. He lost control of his Toyota pickup truck and crossed the centerline, striking an oncoming Chevrolet SUV.

The SUV, driven by Tara Deal, 35, of Elizabethton, Tenn., rolled over the embankment and landed on its side. Deal and her 10-year-old passenger were able to exit the vehicle unharmed.

Link was not injured in the accident and was transported to the Watauga County magistrate’s office by investigating officer trooper D.B. Searcy of the N.C. Highway Patrol.

Link’s passenger was transported to the Watauga Medical Center by Watauga Medics. The adult female’s identity was not released at the scene. Searcy said her injuries appeared to be minor.

Beaver Dam Volunteer Fire Department and the Watauga County Sheriff’s Office were also on scene.