Monday at approximately 8:00 a.m., the N.C. State Highway Patrol responded to and a collision in Alexander County on N.C. 16 near Silas Deal Road. A 2018 Mazda 6 was traveling north and crossed the centerline, ran off the road to the left, struck a guardrail, and collided head-on with a southbound 2019 Toyota Rav4. The Mazda became fully involved in a post-crash fire.
According to a statement from the Highway Patrol:
“The driver of the Mazda, Corey Burkhart, 24, of Wilkesboro, received minor injuries and was transported by Alexander County EMS to Wilkes Medical Center in North Wilkesboro. The initial investigation indicates he fell asleep while driving.”
The driver of the Toyota, Teresa Combs, 60, of North Wilkesboro, was critically injured. She was airlifted to the Carolinas Regional Medical Center in Charlotte.
Highway 16 was closed for at least 3 hours.
The Highway Patrol says charges are pending an ongoing investigation.