Savanah Saine Obituary, Death – Two passengers lost their lives in a tragic car accident in Catawba County early Thursday morning, which authorities say was caused by an impaired driver. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol confirmed the incident occurred at approximately 2:15 a.m. on July 17 along Boggs Road near Hunsucker Drive in Claremont.
The victims have been identified as 19-year-old Savanah Saine of Valdese and a young girl whose name and age have not been made public. Both were seated in the back of the vehicle and died at the scene of the crash.
The driver of the vehicle, 21-year-old Braiden Cole, has been charged in connection with the fatal wreck. He faces charges of driving while impaired and two counts of felony death by motor vehicle. Authorities believe alcohol or other impairing substances played a role in the crash.
Investigators said Cole was driving westbound on Boggs Road when he lost control of the vehicle. The car reportedly crossed the center line, veered off the left side of the road, overturned, and hit several trees before coming to a stop. The crash involved only Cole’s vehicle, and no other cars were part of the incident.
Cole sustained minor injuries in the crash. A front-seat passenger, who has not been identified publicly, was seriously injured and transported to the hospital for medical treatment. Cole was also taken to the hospital for evaluation and was later charged following the initial stages of the investigation.
Emergency responders pronounced Saine and the child dead at the crash site. The collision caused extensive damage to the vehicle, particularly to the rear where the victims were seated. Troopers stated that due to the severity of the crash and the investigation, Boggs Road was closed for several hours.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. They have not yet released details about Cole’s condition at the time of arrest or the results of any substance testing. It is unclear where the group was traveling to or from at the time of the incident.
The deaths of Saine and the young girl have left the local community in shock. Friends and neighbors have expressed sorrow over the sudden and tragic loss, particularly given the young age of the victims.
Law enforcement officials continue to urge drivers to make responsible choices, especially when it comes to impaired driving. The Highway Patrol emphasized that impaired driving not only endangers the driver but also the lives of passengers and others on the road.
As the investigation moves forward, officials say more information may be released. For now, the community mourns the loss of two lives cut short by what authorities are calling a preventable crash caused by impaired driving.
