MARTIN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA — With heavy hearts, family, friends, and community members are mourning the loss of John Foriest, 76, who died after a medical transport ambulance overturned early Sunday morning in Martin County.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, troopers responded at approximately 1:49 a.m. to a single-vehicle crash on N.C. 11 near Council Road.

Preliminary findings indicate that an East Care Medical Transport ambulance was traveling south on N.C. 11 when it veered off the right side of the roadway and struck a ditch culvert. The impact caused the ambulance to overturn multiple times before coming to rest partially blocking the roadway.

John was being transported inside the ambulance when the crash occurred. He suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene, according to the Highway Patrol.

An on-duty nurse who was riding in the rear patient compartment was also injured. Authorities said those injuries were not considered life-threatening, and the nurse received medical treatment.

Troopers have charged the ambulance driver with misdemeanor death by vehicle. The investigation remains ongoing.