Two people have died in a head-on crash in Wilkes County, police said

PURLEAR, NC (WBTV) – Two people were killed in a head-on crash early Saturday morning in Wilkes County.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, it happened around midnight on Shingle Gap Road near CC Hayes Road.

A Honda dirt bike traveling north on Shingle Gap Road collided head-on with a southbound Suzuki dirt bike in the middle of the road.

The driver of the Honda, Matthew Blankenship, 21, of Ferguson, died at the scene.

The driver of the Suzuki, Orin Harless, 30, of Purlear, also died at the scene.

The initial investigation found no evidence of impairment or speed as contributing factors to the accident. Neither driver was wearing helmets.

Shingle Gap Road was closed in the area for approximately two hours while the scene was investigated.

Download the free WBTV News app for the latest stories sent straight to your phone.

Recent Posts