Two Fort Bragg Service Members Among Those Killed in Early-Morning Head-On Collision in Harnett County

Sanford, North Carolina — February 17, 2026 — According to ABC 11, authorities have identified the victims of a fatal crash that occurred early morning in Harnett County, claiming the lives of multiple individuals, including two soldiers assigned to Fort Bragg.

Emergency crews responded to the 4600 block of North Carolina Highway 87 near Sanford, where a serious head-on collision had shut down the roadway in both directions. Upon arrival, first responders discovered that three occupants were trapped inside one of the vehicles and required extrication.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, a Toyota traveling southbound crossed over the center line and struck a Chevrolet pickup truck traveling in the opposite direction.

Troopers confirmed that three occupants of the Toyota were active-duty soldiers stationed at Fort Bragg. The driver, Specialist Romeo Mason Fleck, and a rear-seat passenger, Specialist Charles Jackson, were pronounced dead at the scene. A third passenger, identified as Aydrian Larusch, sustained critical injuries and was transported to Womack Army Hospital. Fort Bragg officials later reported that Larusch is now listed in stable condition.

Fleck, 22, was originally from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He had served as an Infantryman with the 82nd Airborne Division since 2024. Jackson, 21, a native of Efland, was assigned as a Combat Medic with the same division beginning in 2024.

The driver of the pickup truck, William Underwood of Sanford, also died as a result of the crash. Authorities stated that he was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision and required extrication from his vehicle.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

At Dewey, Ramsay & Hunt, our experienced Charlotte personal injury attorneys are committed to helping crash victims and their families navigate the legal process.

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Notes: Our team created this post using secondary sources and has not independently verified all the facts surrounding the accident. If you find any incorrect details, please contact Dewey, Ramsay & Hunt so we can update the post with the most accurate information. This post will be removed if requested.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice and is not a solicitation for business. The photograph used in this post is not representative of this accident. If you are injured in an accident, seek medical attention immediately, then speak to a North Carolina personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.