A 21-year-old Statesville woman died Thursday afternoon following a two-vehicle collision on NC 105 in Watauga County. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol confirmed the fatality, identifying the victim as Veronica Grace Virtue. The incident, which occurred at the intersection of NC 105 and Dove Acres, involved a passenger car and a flatbed truck, prompting a response from troopers and the closure of a section of the busy highway.
The fatal crash unfolded around 2:52 p.m. on Thursday, September 3. According to the Highway Patrol's detailed account, Veronica Grace Virtue was driving a 2014 Mitsubishi passenger car. Her vehicle was traveling southbound on NC 105. As she approached a private drive, she attempted a left turn, an maneuver that placed her directly in the path of an oncoming northbound flatbed truck. The impact between the two vehicles was significant.
Emergency services transported Ms. Virtue from the scene of the collision to Watauga Medical Center. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, she ultimately succumbed to the injuries she sustained in the crash. Her death marks a tragic loss for the Statesville community. The driver of the flatbed truck, whose identity was not released, was examined at the scene and reported no injuries from the incident.
The immediate aftermath of the collision led to a temporary but necessary disruption to traffic flow on NC 105. Highway Patrol officials closed the affected section of the road for approximately one hour. This closure was crucial to facilitate the on-scene investigation by troopers, allowing them to gather evidence and process the circumstances of the crash safely and thoroughly.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol launched an initial investigation into the cause of the two-vehicle incident. Their preliminary findings, released after a careful review of the crash site and available evidence, indicated that speed was not considered a contributing factor in the collision. Furthermore, the investigation also concluded that alcohol was not involved in the circumstances leading to the fatal event. Based on these initial findings from the investigation, the Highway Patrol determined that no charges would be filed in connection with the tragic death of Veronica Grace Virtue. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of road travel in the High Country.
