North Wilkesboro –On Sunday, September 7, at approximately 3:55 p.m., the NC State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a collision in Wilkes County on NC 115 near Hunting Creek Road. A 2003 Ford F-150 traveling north on NC 115 crossed the centerline, sideswiped a southbound 2009 Ford F-250 hauling a boat, and then collided head-on with a southbound 2024 Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department Chevrolet Tahoe.
The driver of the F-150, Darrell Dean Kilby, 47, of Millers Creek, was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the F-250, Kenneth Marshall Speece II, 55, of Olin, was not injured.
The deputy driving the Tahoe, Erik Bueno-Medina, 27, was transported to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The initial investigation indicates that careless and reckless driving, along with impairment, were contributing factors in the collision. Kilby was charged with driving while impaired and careless and reckless driving. Additional charges are pending upon completion of the ongoing investigation and consultation with the Wilkes County District Attorney’s Office. During the on-scene investigation, the roadway was closed in the area for approximately three hours.