GASTON – The driver who fled the scene of a fatal accident near here early Monday morning has been identified.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol said the driver is 46-year-old Mark Fields, who lists an address on Webbs Gates Road, Henrico. Charges are pending against Fields as the NCHP continues its investigation into the accident.

Robert Junior Turner, 53, of Mason Road, Henrico, was killed in the accident. He was a front seat passenger in the vehicle operated by Fields.

NCSO Trooper Jason Keeter investigated the accident, which was reported at 12:12 a.m. on April 1 along a stretch of NC 46 in Northampton County.

Keeter’s report showed that the vehicle was traveling west on NC 46. The vehicle traveled off the roadway to the right, and came back onto the roadway. The vehicle crossed the centerline, and overcorrected. The vehicle traveled off the roadway to the right. Finally, the vehicle overturned and collided with a tree.

The driver was suspected to be Mark Fields, but he was not immediately located.

“Trooper Keeter spoke to the representatives of the surrounding hospitals, and the driver was located the next day when he arrived at Halifax Regional Hospital (located in Roanoke Rapids) for neck injuries,” stated NCSO Sgt. A.S. Genao. “The driver was later airlifted to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville for further evaluation. Mr. Mark Fields was confirmed to be the driver after further investigation. Alcohol is an unknown factor at this point.”

Sgt. Genao added that SBI forensic analysts and the NC Highway Patrol’s collision reconstruction team are also helping with the investigation.

“Trooper Keeter handled the investigation in an exemplary manner, and because of his diligence the driver was found fairly quickly,” Sgt. Genao said.