A two-vehicle collision in Catawba County last Saturday killed a 40-year-old man from Newton and seriously injured four others, including two children. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol told WBTV that Christopher Shea Houser, the driver of the Nissan Altima, died at the scene. The crash happened around 9:10 p.m. on Settlemyre Bridge Road near White Oak Drive.
The Highway Patrol reported that Houser’s eastbound vehicle crossed the centerline and collided with a westbound Infiniti Q50. Officials reported to WCNC that speed and impairment may have been factors, and Houser was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash. Settlemyre Bridge Road was closed for several hours while the investigation took place.
The driver of the Infiniti, 22-year-old Isrrael Suarez-Hernandez, sustained critical injuries and, along with one adult passenger and two children, was taken to the hospital with life-threatening conditions. QC News reported that Suarez-Hernandez was airlifted for urgent medical care. The names and conditions of the other passengers have not been released.
State officials stated that no charges will be filed at this time. The investigation into the cause of the collision is ongoing, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
