GATES – A pre-dawn wreck near here Friday morning has resulted in the first motor vehicle fatality of the new year in the local area.

Rufus William Blow, 44, ofWilleyton Road, Gates, died as a result of the injuries he suffered in the 5:10 a.m. single vehicle accident that occurred onByrum Road(RP 1204) offGatlington Roadin the Boonetown community of northernGatesCounty.

According to a report filed by North Carolina State Highway Patrol Trooper J.S. Archer, Blow’s vehicle was traveling south at which time it traveled off the right side of the road and the driver overcorrected, causing the vehicle to re-enter the roadway. There, the vehicle crossed the center line, prompting Blow to make an effort to steer the vehicle back to the right. Archer’s report showed that the driver over steered at that point, which caused the vehicle to spin sideways. It overturned and barrel-rolled several times.

Blow allegedly was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle. He died at the scene.

The fatality was the first of 2012 within the NCHP’s Troop A, District II area (Bertie, Gates and Hertford counties) as well as the first of the new year inGatesCounty.