The North Carolina State Highway Patrol continues to investigate a crash which claimed the life of a vehicle passenger this morning.

Due to the ongoing investigation, Trooper J.S. Mizelle declined to immediately release the name of the male victim.

The single-vehicle crash occurred around 6 a.m. on Highway 4 in the Littleton area.

The driver of the vehicle, who has been served a citation for DWI, ran off the road to the right. The driver overcorrected and the vehicle struck a tree.

The driver, whose name is also not being immediately released due to the ongoing investigation, was listed in critical condition after he was airlifted to Vidant in Greenville.

Mizelle said alcohol use is the contributing factor in the crash.