A North Carolina-based Marine was killed in a single-vehicle lance corporal based out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, is dead after a car accident early Friday morning.
Lance Cpl. Jacob K. Matthews, 21, of Chester, Maryland, died after his sports utility vehicle left the road in Onslow County at about 90 miles per hour at 2 a.m. Friday, according to local media reports. He reportedly was not wearing a seat belt.
Matthews, an infantryman-turned-military policeman, was assigned to Security Company, Headquarters and Support Battalion, out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Camp Lejeune spokesman Nat Fahy Fahey, a Marine spokesman, described the accident as tragic in a press release.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with … Matthews and his loved ones in the wake of this tragic incident," Fahy Fahey said.
Local accounts report the intersection where Matthews died — on Ramsey Road — is not new to accidents. His vehicle rolled multiple times before slamming into an office building.
Alcohol is not a factor at this point, according WCTI Channel 12 to local reports. A spokesman with the state's highway patrol was not immediately available for comment.
Matthews joined the Corps in 2011. He deployed with 1st Battalion, 6th Marines as part of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit in 2014.
