On Tuesday, May 12th, at approximately 10:31 p.m., the North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision on NC 105 near the Avery County line, in Watauga County. A 2017 Ram Truck was traveling South on NC 105, crossed the centerline and collided head on with a 2019 Ram Truck.
The driver of the 2017 Ram, Alex Gil Hernandez, 18, of Zionville, was transported to Watauga Medical Center with minor injuries.
The driver of the 2019 Ram, Daylen H. Buchanan, 20, of Bakersville, succumbed to his injuries at the scene of the collision.
Speed or impairment are not suspected as contributing factors in the collision. Mr. Hernandez was charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and reckless driving.
While Troopers conducted the on-scene investigation, NC 105 was closed for several hours