13-year-old boy dies after falling from truck

SUPPLY, NC (WWAY) — A ride in the back of a truck came to a tragic end yesterday afternoon.

Two friends set out to have a good time, but it ended with a 13-year-old boy falling out of a pickup truck, driven by a 15-year-old.

The Highway Patrol says the two boys were good friends and had spent the night and day together.

Troopers say it happened near Oyster Lane and Red Bud Road around 1:30pm Monday afternoon.

The truck was going about 10 miles per hour when it made a right turn.

At some point during that turn, 13-year-old John Paul Smith, Jr. fell out and was killed.

Troopers say the 15-year-old driver immediately stopped and called paramedics.

According to Highway Patrol the driver did not break any laws, because the person was driving on a private road.

John Paul Smith, Jr. would have turned 14 on Friday. Troopers say this was simply a tragic accident.