North Wilkesboro – On Wednesday, January 1, at approximately 12:00 p.m., the NC State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision in Wilkes County on Traphill Road near Longbottom Road. A 1995 Toyota truck traveling south on Traphill Road crossed the center line and sideswiped a northbound 2001 Ford Ranger. This collision caused the Toyota to overturn.
The driver of the Toyota, Randall Manwell Lee Mash, 36, of North Wilkesboro, was not injured. A passenger, India Cheyenne Richardson, 33, of Roaring River, was thrown from the vehicle and succumbed to her injuries at the scene. Richardson was not restrained by a seatbelt.
The driver of the Ford, Howard Dewey Watkins, 60, and a passenger, were transported by EMS to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The initial investigation indicates excessive speed as the contributing factor in the collision. During the on-scene investigation, the roadway was closed in the area for approximately two hours.
Mash was charged with:
Misdemeanor death by vehicle
Careless and reckless driving
Driving while license revoked
Driving left of center
Possession of a firearm by a felon
Resist, delay and obstruct