ASHE COUNTY, N.C. — A 21-year-old Lansing man died early Saturday after losing control of his vehicle on NC 88 in Ashe County, authorities said.

Joshua Seth Hodge was driving a 2019 Toyota RAV4 east on NC 88 near Elliot Road around 2:30 a.m. when he crossed the center line, ran off the left side of the road, and struck a ditch, the NC State Highway Patrol said.

Hodge was critically injured and taken to Ashe Memorial Hospital in Jefferson, where he later died.

Investigators said speed and impairment appear to have contributed to the crash. NC 88 was closed for several hours during the investigation.

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