DENVER, N.C. — A wrong-way collision early Sunday morning claimed the lives of Rashann Jakeem Curmon, 32, and Steven J. Sweda, 50, both of Charlotte, when their vehicles collided and burst into flames along Highway 16 near NC 73, authorities said.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol reported the crash occurred around 12:40 a.m. when a 2006 Acura RSX, driven by Curmon and traveling north in the southbound lanes, collided head-on with a 2014 Nissan Altima driven by Sweda. The force of the impact ignited both vehicles.
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Curmon and Sweda were pronounced dead at the scene. A child riding in the Acura was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Troopers noted that the preliminary investigation does not indicate that speed or impairment contributed to the crash. The southbound lanes of NC 16 were closed for approximately three hours as authorities processed the scene and cleared the wreckage.
The accident has left two families devastated and the local community mourning the sudden and tragic loss of life.