The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is investigating an automobile accident which occurred Sunday evening following a fatality involved with the incident.

Authorities have identified the man who was killed in connection with the accident as Joseph Dewayne Dowell, 27, of Mabel Lane of Lowgap. According to Surry County Emergency Services Director John Shelton, the accident occurred on Pine Ridge Road two miles from Crooked Oak Grocery.

Shelton indicated law enforcement on the scene believed there was another car involved in the accident that was traveling north towards Virginia. The vehicle in which Dowell was driving was traveling south on Pine Ridge Road and appears to have lost control, skidded and hit a tree on the passenger side of the car.

The passenger, who was not identified, was later transported to Northern Hospital of Surry County for treatment and released. Dowell was pronounced dead at Northern.

Further details were not available at press time because of the ongoing investigation.