IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) -- A man tragically lost his life after a blown tire caused him to crash off Interstate 77, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

Troopers were called to the crash just before 8 p.m. on Friday, June 6. Investigators believe a 1999 Ford Ranger was driving south on I-77 near West Memorial Highway when the back tire blew, causing the pickup to lose control, hit a guardrail, overturn and go down an embankment.

The driver, 38-year-old Elmer Adalberto Romero Giron of Statesville, died at the site of the crash. An adult and two juveniles in the car were taken to local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

I-77 southbound was closed for about two hours while troopers investigated the incident.

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