COMO – Driving while under the influence of alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor in a fatal mishap near here Friday night.

Joshua Ryan Padelt, 24, of Franklin, Va. was killed in a single car crash that occurred at 9:30 p.m. on US 258 just north of Como in Hertford County.

According to a report filed by North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper J.G. Williams, Padelt was operating a 1999 Acura passenger car, approximately six-tenths of a mile north of Como, at the time of the accident. Trooper Williams said the driver lost control of the vehicle in a curve, causing the car to cross the center line where it traveled off the left side of the roadway, struck a tree and overturned.

Padelt, who was reportedly not wearing a seat belt, was ejected from the vehicle. He died at the scene.

The car is owned by Marie Schwartztrauber of Franklin, Va.

The fatality was the 11th of the year in Troop A, District II (Bertie, Gates and Hertford counties) of the NC Highway Patrol. Two of those fatalities have occurred in Hertford County.