Rolando Sosa

State troopers said a deadly combination led to Wake County's first highway fatality of 2004.

The crash happened early Thursday morning on Highway 64, near the Neuse River.

According to the state Highway Patrol, Rolando Sosa, 29, ran off the road, slammed into some trees and was thrown to his death.

"Speed, mixed with no seat belt and the impact to a tree -- you're not going to win when you go against a tree, not in a car -- and then alcohol was involved," trooper Brian Lane said.

Troopers said Sosa was going 80 to 100 mph when he lost control and ran off of the highway.