Wrong-Way Crash on U.S. 421 in Wilkesboro Leaves Purlear Woman Dead, Another Driver Injured

Wilkesboro, North Carolina — December 5, 2025 — According to The Wilkes Record, a late-night collision on U.S. 421 claimed the life of a Purlear resident after authorities say a vehicle traveling the wrong direction struck another car head-on.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, troopers were called to the scene near the Windy Gap Road and Speedway Road exits. Investigators determined that 76-year-old Willa Church of Purlear was driving a 2014 Ford Taurus southbound in the northbound lanes when her vehicle crashed into a 2015 Subaru Forester.

Church died from her injuries at the scene.

The Subaru’s driver, identified as 22-year-old Carson Sullivan of Wilkesboro, was transported to a nearby hospital. Officials reported that Sullivan’s injuries were not life-threatening.

Troopers noted that preliminary findings do not suggest that excessive speed or impairment played a role in the crash, and no charges will be filed. Highway Patrol personnel closed the northbound lanes of U.S. 421 for roughly two hours while they conducted the investigation.

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.