Man pleads guilty in New Hanover County crash that killed passenger

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) – The man who drove off the road and hit a dump truck, killing a man, is going to prison.

Christopher Lee Humbert, 43, of Virginia Beach, pleaded guilty to felony death by vehicle, resisting a public officer, reckless driving and failure to maintain lane control.

A judge sentenced Humbert to 64-89 months suspended sentence, with 22 months in prison, followed by 3 years probation.

On June 11, Humbert and his friend, Bryan Edward Connaughton, were traveling on The Cape Boulevard in New Hanover County, when the defendant drove off the road to the right and struck a dump truck.

Connaughton was thrown from the vehicle and killed.

Humbert attempted to run from the scene and provided a false name to law enforcement.

The defendant had a blood alcohol level of .06 at the time of his blood draw and tested positive for cocaine metabolites.