Ronda – On Friday, June 27, at approximately 7:00 p.m., the NC State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision in Wilkes County on Red White and Blue Road near Ruth Linny Road. A 2003 Jeep Liberty traveling north crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a southbound 2018 Nissan Altima.
The driver of the Jeep, Randy Lee Johnson, 62, of Wilkesboro, succumbed to his injuries at the scene. He was not wearing a seatbelt.
The driver of the Nissan, Johnathan Andrew Laws, 34, of Roaring River, was transported by medical helicopter to Hugh Chatham Health in Elkin, where he succumbed to his injuries. Laws was an off-duty Wilkes County Deputy.
A backseat passenger, Vickie Gustafson Key, 72, of Roaring River, succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
Two additional passengers were transported by EMS to Hugh Chatham Health with non-life-threatening injuries.
Red White and Blue Road was closed in the area for approximately two hours during the on-scene investigation. The initial investigation does not indicate that speed or alcohol were contributing factors in the collision.