"-- A Clover man was killed when the car he was riding in ran off the road and hit a tree in Polk County, N.C.
Travis Huffstickler, 22, of Clover was the passenger in a black Mitsubishi Diamante traveling north on Interstate 26 around 6:30 a.m. Friday when driver Shane Smith, 22, of Gastonia, N.C., fell asleep at the wheel and lost control of the vehicle, said Sgt. Jason Deardorff of the N.C. Highway Patrol.
The car veered off the interstate and struck a tree. Deardorff said Huffstickler was pronounced dead at the scene.
"In that type of wreck, there's traumatic injuries to your whole body," Deardorff said. Huffstickler was wearing his seat belt, and authorities do not suspect foul play.
Smith, the driver, survived the wreck, Deardorff said. He was treated at a local hospital and released. He was charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle, Deardorff said.
Huffstickler's passion was music, friends say.
Rick Spitzer, 30, of York played with Huffstickler in several local heavy metal bands, including Chizel Face, Behind the Veil and Subcyde. He said Huffstickler was a coveted musician in the local nightclub scene.
"He was a hot commodity, vocally," Spitzer said. "He was one of the best out there. All the local bands are just destroyed."
Missy Spalt of Rock Hill fell in love with Huffstickler's voice six months ago during a karaoke contest.
Spalt said the Clover native, his pit bull, Waylon, who also died in the crash, and Smith were traveling to the North Carolina mountains for the weekend.
"He loved the hell out of life," Spalt said. "He'd do anything to make everyone happy."
Spalt said the loss was especially hard because today would have been Huffstickler's 23rd birthday. "All the days are gonna be tough from now on."
Spitzer said several local bands are trying to organize a concert in Huffstickler's memory sometime in June.
GASTONIA — United Baptist Church was filled Thursday as friends and family said goodbye to a 22-year-old musician killed in car crash May 18.
“Remember to live life in honor of Travis,” said the Rev. Blaine Phelps.
Travis Allen Gary Huffstickler, singer of the band “Behind the Veil,” died when a car he was riding in ran off the road and hit a tree in Polk County, according to the Highway Patrol.
Huffstickler was living in Clover, S.C., but was born in Gaston County and would have turned 23 Tuesday. The driver, Shane Smith, 22, of Gastonia was taken to St. Lukes Hospital in Columbus where he was treated and released. Troopers said they think Smith fell asleep at the wheel at the time of the wreck.
Huffstickler was remembered as a talented young musician who performed with various groups. He also loved the mountains and was heading there at the time of his death.
Shelly Lutz of Bessemer City grew up with Huffstickler and remembered him as an “easy-going guy.”
“He was always the ‘cool guy’ if that makes any sense,” Lutz said. “I never saw him act in a disagreeable way.”
Huffstickler was a well-known musician in Clover, Lutz said.
“I remember he always played a Green Day song on his acoustic guitar,” Lutz said. “I always think of him when I hear that song.”
Clover musicians are planning a concert in memory of Huffstickler perhaps by June, according to the online blog myspace.com.
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