GARNER — A Garner teenager died in a car accident early Saturday morning in the 2200 block of Josephine Road in Johnston County, a state Highway Patrol officer said Sunday.

Trooper D.B. Finch said Bryan Gilmore, 17 of Smithfield, was driving a Ford Ranger pickup truck, with two other teenagers as passengers, after leaving a party, Finch said. All three had been drinking, he said.

The truck traveled off the right side of the road at about 3 a.m., hitting the curb, and overturned several times before ejecting William Lee Tippett, 18, of Garner, who died at the scene, Finch said.

Gilmore is charged with driving while impaired, driving after consuming alcohol while under 21, and reckless driving, in addition to other pending charges. The investigation remains open.

Gilmore and the other teenager were both injured but have since been released from WakeMed, Finch said.

State Alcohol Law Enforcement agents are involved with the investigation because the teenagers attended a party before the crash, Finch said. From staff reports