Head-on crash kills 2 people in Alexander County, threatens life of juvenile

TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. — A head-on crash in Alexander County killed 2 people and hospitalized two others, including a juvenile, officials say.

N.C. State Highway Patrol responded to the crash around 11:30 p.m. Saturday night.

They say a 2002 Cadillac Escalade crossed the centerline while traveling south on N.C. 16 near Mount Olive Church Road.

The Escalade collided with a 1991 Mazda Miata traveling in the other direction, hitting the car head-on.

After hitting the Miata, the Escalade spun out of control and was hit by another car traveling north on N.C. 16.

Joshua Lance Mayberry, 36, of North Wilkesboro was driving the Escalade, the same car the juvenile was in. He was unable to get out of his vehicle and died at the scene.

The juvenile, whose age has not been released, was transported to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the Miata, Justin Ryan Combs, also could not get out of his car and died at the scene. He was 29 and a resident of Wilkesboro.

The driver of the car that hit Mayberry was transported to Wilkes Regional Medical Center in Wilkesboro with minor injuries.

NCSHP says there is no indication that any driver was impaired, and all victims were wearing seatbelts.

N.C. 16 was closed for two hours as officials investigated.

Channel 9 has reached out to NCSHP to learn if the intense weather that night could have been a factor.

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