Lincolnton – On Sunday, December 31, at approximately 2:20 a.m., the NC State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision in Lincoln County on US 321 near Bethel Church Road (Mile Marker 26). A 2018 Honda Civic was traveling south in the northbound travel lanes and collided head-on with a 2018 Toyota RAV4 in the right lane.
The driver of the Civic, Liannet Russiel Urgelles, 25, of Conover, was transported by EMS to Atrium Lincoln, in Lincolnton, where she succumbed to her injuries.
The driver of the RAV4, Vanessa Ramos-Zuniga, 21, of Newton, was transported by EMS to CaroMont Regional Medical Center, in Gastonia, with non-life-threatening injuries.
The initial investigation does not indicate impairment as a contributing factor and no charges will be filed in this case. All occupants were restrained by seatbelts. During the on-scene investigation, the roadway was closed in the area for approximately two hours.