Local man thrown from vehicle dies in crash

Sept. 2– A 32-year-old Hardin County man died of injuries sustained Thursday in a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Florence Road and Pinhook Drive, Savannah police report.

Brandon M. Casteel, who was not wearing a seat belt, was fatally injured when he was ejected out the driver side window of the full-size 2007 Chevy pickup truck he was driving, according to the investigating officer, Sgt. Allen Snelling.

He said Casteel was southbound on Florence and turned left into the path of 2004 Nissan Xterra sport utility vehicle traveling north on Florence and driven by Bruce E. Mays, 55, of Savannah. The front of the SUV hit the pickup in the passenger side at 6:36 a.m.

Casteel was airlifted to a Memphis hospital but died while enroute.

Mays was not wearing a seat belt and was not reported injured.

Snelling said there is no indication drugs or alcohol were a factor in the crash, but blood test results are still pending.