Statesville man killed in ATV crash

HARMONY, N.C. – A Statesville man died in an ATV crash in Iredell County early Sunday morning, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

It happened around 1:30 a.m. on Saw Mills Road near Union Grove Road.

Troopers say 25-year-old Seth Paynter was traveling northwest on Saw Mills Road in a 2019 Polaris RZR. Paynter lost control, drove off the left side of the road and overturned, authorities say.

Paynter was pronounced dead at the scene.

Troopers say he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt and was also ejected from the vehicle.

The preliminary investigation indicates that alcohol was a contributing factor in the crash.