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FRANKLINVILLE N.C. – A head on collision on US 64 claimed the life of a Franklinville resident on Wednesday afternoon.
Just after 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 10th, 2023, emergency crews responded to a vehicle crash on US 64 near Iron Mountain Road.
According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, Wanda Cox Allred, 74, of Franklinville, N.C., was traveling west on US 64 operating a 2019 Honda CR-V when a driver of a 2006 Mercedes Benz crossed the centerline, striking her vehicle head-on. Allred died on-scene.
The driver of the Mercedes Benz suffered serious life-threatening injuries and was transported to Moses H. Cone Hospital in Greensboro. The name of that driver is being withheld at this time as the Highway Patrol says the investigation is on-going.
All westbound lanes of US 64 near Iron Mountain Road were closed for approximately two hours as Troopers investigated on scene. According to the N.C. Department of Transportation, all lanes of US 64 re-opened shortly after 5 p.m.
UPDATE 5/12/23 2 AM – The driver of the 2006 Mercedes Benz that crossed the centerline, striking and killing Wanda Allred is in the Randolph County Jail tonight, facing a charge of second degree murder.
Daniel Ray-Christopher Willard, 42, of Randleman, N.C., has been charged with second degree murder and is being held on a $2,000,000 secured bond in connection with Wednesday’s fatal accident on US 64.
Court records show that on the morning of the crash, Willard appeared in Randolph County Court in connection with a 2020 DWI charge. Willard was also scheduled to appear in Montgomery County court on May 12th for a speeding ticket from 2022.
Daniel Ray-Christopher Willard
- Second degree murder
$2,000,000 Secured Bond
This is a developing story, and more information will be added as it becomes available.
Featured Photo – Credit: Acme News Archive