DeLand, FL - Troopers are trying to figure out who was behind the wheel during a fatal accident overnight on State Road 44 in DeLand.
The Florida Highway Patrol says it happened just after 1 o'clock this morning (March 15th) near Sonny Opal Lane, just off the western shore of Lake Winnemissett and west of the Interstate 4 exit.
According to the accident report, a 2000 Ford sport utility vehicle was heading east on SR 44 when the driver lost control and went off the road, striking a fence after overturning.
There were two men on board at the time and both were ejected from the SUV, according to FHP Lieutenant Kim Montes.
"It remains under investigation as to which occupant was the driver," Montes added.
Neither were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident, per the FHP report.
The man who died was identified as 21-year-old Gage Howe of DeLand. An autopsy is pending to see if alcohol or drugs were in his system at the time of the accident.
The other - 23-year-old Noah Dickerhoff of Maitland - left Halifax Health Medical Center with minor injuries before traffic investigators could arrive there to question him or check for impairment, per Montes. He was initially sent to the hospital as a trauma alert.
