Lejeune Marine dies in car wreck - Marine Corps News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Marine Corps Times

Lejeune Marine dies in car wreck

JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — A Marine died early Sunday after being ejected from the car he was driving near Camp Lejeune.

Pfc. Daniel James Gilbert, 19, was behind the wheel of a 1997 Mercedes, heading west about 3 a.m. on the state Route 24 bypass in Jacksonville when he attempted to change lanes and pick up U.S. Route 17 south, according to a news release from Jacksonville police.

Gilbert, an engineer equipment operator with Lejeune’s Combat Logistics Battalion 6, lost control of the car, drove up an embankment and was thrown from the vehicle, according to police.

He was airlifted to New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, where he later was pronounced dead.

Gilbert was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, Jacksonville police Lt. Tony Campbell said, adding that excessive speed may have contributed to the wreck, which remains under investigation.

Gilbert’s passenger, a fellow Marine, was treated for minor injuries.