Morganton- On Saturday, June 21, at approximately 11:05 a.m., the NC State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision in Burke County on NC 181 near Streamside Drive. A 2002 Kawasaki motorcycle traveling north on NC 181 attempted to pass several motorcycles in a no-passing zone and collided head-on with a southbound 2016 Yamaha motorcycle.
The driver of the Kawasaki, James Clifton Vaughan III, 44, of Lenoir, was ejected from the motorcycle and succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The passenger, Brandy Nicole Isaacs, 31, also of Lenoir, was ejected from the motorcycle and transported to an area hospital in critical condition.
The driver of the Yamaha, Timothy Daniel Gragg, 52, of Lenoir, and a passenger were transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The initial investigation indicates excessive speed and improper passing were contributing factors in the collision. During the on-scene investigation, NC 181 was closed in the area for approximately two hours. No charges will be filed in this case.