Two Killed, Including Child, in Chain-Reaction Crash in Caldwell County; Driver Charged

Caldwell County, North Carolina — April 18, 2026 — According to WBTV, a late-night series of collisions left two people dead, including an 11-year-old child, and resulted in multiple charges against a young driver.

The incident occurred along U.S. Highway 64 in Lenoir. North Carolina State Highway Patrol officials say a Ford pickup truck traveling along the roadway crossed into the opposite lane and struck a Honda Civic head-on.

After the initial impact, the pickup veered off the road, hitting a guardrail and a utility pole. Troopers reported that the driver of the truck then fled the scene on foot, leaving the damaged Honda positioned sideways in the roadway near Union Baptist Road.

Moments later, a second pickup truck approached and collided with the disabled Honda, further complicating the scene.

Emergency responders arrived to find the Honda’s occupants, identified as 78-year-old Pink Lackey of Lenoir and an 11-year-old passenger, both suffering from fatal injuries. Authorities confirmed that both victims died at the scene.

The driver believed to have caused the initial crash, 20-year-old Matthew Frye of Hickory, was later located in a nearby wooded area and taken into custody. Officials said he did not sustain injuries.

Investigators have indicated that speed and impairment were likely contributing factors in the initial collision. The driver of the second pickup truck was not injured, and it remains unclear whether that second impact contributed to the fatalities.

Frye now faces multiple charges, including two counts of felony death by motor vehicle, driving while impaired, underage alcohol consumption, and improper passing. Authorities noted that additional charges may be filed following further review with the District Attorney’s Office.

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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.