Soldier injured in crash

RALEIGH (WTVD) -- A Fort Bragg soldier was injured in a crash early Friday morning on New Bern Ave.

The soldier, who was the only person in the car, is identified as 19-year-old Private First Class John Dean of Massachusetts.

According to eyewitnesses, Dean was speeding up and down New Bern Ave. around midnight shortly before the crash.

Police say he lost control of his Volkswagen, crossed over a concrete median and slammed into a stone "Welcome to Raleigh" sign. They say he was traveling at speeds near 90 mph, which is twice the normal speed limit.

The force ejected him from the car and the car landed vertically between two trees.

Dean was rushed to WakeMed in critical condition and police believe he had been drinking.

According to a police report, the car Dean was driving belongs to fellow Fort Bragg soldier Specialist Robert Apgar of Ohio. He was not in the car at the time of the wreck.

Documents found at the scene of the crash indicate the pair was headed to their respective homes on a requested leave.

Instead, Dean will be spending this holiday in the hospital. He faces numerous charges including DWI and wreckless driving.

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