December 11, 2021 4:50 p.m.

A Winston man has been arrested on charges related to the fatal vehicle crash that took place Thursday morning.

Lieutenant Brad O’Dell of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office said preliminary indications were that Samantha Cole was the only occupant in the SUV that wrecked in the 3400 block of Willis Creek Road near Winston, at about 8:00 a.m. Lieutenant O’Dell said while conducting the follow up investigation, deputies and detectives received information that 32-year old Andrew Lott, may be have been in the vehicle at the time of the accident.

On Friday, detectives located and interviewed Lott at a residence on Willis Creek Road. During the interview, Lott admitted to driving the vehicle at the time of the wreck, while Cole was a passenger. Lott stated that he and Cole were involved in a disturbance, when he took his hands off the steering wheel and reached over into the passenger compartment, grabbing onto Cole.

Lott said the vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. Lott said he crawled out of the SUV and knew Cole was injured. Lott allegedly made no efforts to summon emergency help and hid nearby.

Lieutenant O’Dell said Lott was charged with criminally negligent homicide, and for failure to perform the duties of a driver to an injured person. He was also held on an outstanding warrant from another state. Bail was set at $160,000.