LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. — A tragic wrong-way collision early Sunday morning claimed two lives after both vehicles burst into flames along Highway 16 near NC 73 in Denver.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 12:40 a.m. when a 2006 Acura RSX, traveling north in the southbound lanes, collided head-on with a 2014 Nissan Altima. The force of the impact caused both vehicles to catch fire.
Authorities identified the driver of the Acura as Rashann Jakeem Curmon, 32, of Charlotte. He tragically died at the scene. A child who was also in the Acura was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the Nissan, Steven J. Sweda, 50, also from Charlotte, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Troopers said the initial investigation does not indicate speed or impairment as contributing factors in the crash. The southbound lanes of NC 16 were closed for roughly three hours as investigators processed the scene and cleared the wreckage.
This devastating accident has left two families mourning and a community shaken by the sudden loss of life on a quiet Sunday morning.