WINDSOR – A 67-year-old Windsor man became Bertie County’s first motor vehicle fatality of the year near here Sunday afternoon.

Earl Williams of 1308 Woodard Road died as a result of the single-vehicle accident, one reported at 5:15 p.m.

It is not known at this time if the injuries Williams sustained in the crash led to his death or if other factors were involved. Those questions will be answered by the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office in Greenville where Williams’ body was taken following the mishap.

North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper A.S. Genao investigated the accident scene. His report showed that Williams was operating a 1996 Ford Bronco south on Woodard Road (RP 1500), off US 13/17 three miles south of Windsor. The vehicle apparently ran off the right side of the road where it struck a highway sign before proceeding into a creek and colliding with its bank.

Trooper Genao said Williams was not wearing a seat belt and was not ejected from the vehicle.

“We are waiting for the Medical Examiner’s report to determine the cause of death,” Trooper Genao said.

There were no passengers in the vehicle.

The fatality was the sixth overall this year in the NCHP’s Troop A, District II area which covers Bertie, Gates and Hertford counties.