Driver faces DWI charge in wreck that left his brother dead

Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2007

By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer

A Conover man is facing an impaired-driving charge for a wreck that killed his brother Sunday evening.

Sean Vandinter, 28, was charged with driving while impaired Sunday after his 1987 Honda Accord swerved into oncoming traffic in southeast Hickory and collided with a 1999 Toyota 4Runner, which hit another vehicle, said Hickory police Lt. Gary Lee.

Vandinter's brother, 23-year-old Ernest O'Shields, was sitting in the Honda's front passenger seat and died at the scene. Another passenger in the Honda and the drivers of the other vehicles were not seriously injured.

Vandinter was in stable condition at Catawba Valley Medical Center Monday afternoon, said Hickory police Capt. Clyde Deal. Deal said authorities will consider other charges once they complete their investigation of Sunday's crash.


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