GASTONIA, NC — The North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NCDPS) says an inmate was killed in a single-vehicle accident shortly after his escape Monday afternoon.
David Woods, 46, was assigned to an outside work detail when he went missing around 12:50pm. Officials say he stole a City of Lowell Ford pickup and then crashed just off I-85 at exit 14 around 2:15pm.
Officials say Woods died in the accident.
The NCDPS says Woods, originally from New Hanover County, was serving a life sentence after being convicted of second-degree murder in May 1995.
Gastonia Police are investigating the crash. The details surrounding his escape are also under investigation.
