Early Wednesday morning, a community’s shock turned real when 53-year-old Kelly Jordan Holleman of North Wilkesboro died in a devastating two-vehicle head-on collision on North Carolina Highway 16 near Grindstone Lane in Wilkes County. The crash occurred at approximately 7 a.m., when her 2018 Honda CR-V crossed the centerline for reasons still under investigation and collided with a southbound 2019 Subaru Forester.
Troopers from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) say that despite arriving quickly and responding aggressively, emergency crews were unable to save Holleman, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials noted she was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. The driver of the Subaru—identified in the initial report as a 61-year-old woman from West Jefferson—sustained critical injuries and was airlifted to Atrium Wake-Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.
Investigators from the NCSHP’s Collision Reconstruction Unit say that neither speed nor impairment appeared to be contributing factors to the crash. Weather and road conditions were described as normal; however, the specific reason for Holleman’s SUV crossing the centerline remains under active investigation.
The stretch of Highway 16 where the collision occurred lies in a rural section of Wilkes County and is known locally as a two-lane commuter road with limited shoulders and gentle curves—features that can make early-morning travel especially risky. The roadway was closed for approximately three hours while debris was cleared and the scene documented.
Kelly Holleman was well known and well-liked in her North Wilkesboro community. Friends and neighbors describe her as “kind,” “active,” and someone who always had time for others. Her untimely death has left a palpable void: local residents share grief and extend condolences to her family, emphasizing how “heartbreaking” her loss is for everyone who knew her.
In the wake of this tragedy, troopers again stressed the importance of wearing seatbelts and staying alert—especially on narrow rural highways early in the day. They urged drivers to maintain proper lane discipline and to treat all two-lane roads with caution, pointing out how quickly normal conditions can turn deadly.
As the investigation continues, the Wilkes County community mourns the loss of Kelly Holleman and hopes for the recovery of the injured driver. For now, the message is clear: every trip matters—and sometimes the difference between life and loss is a moment of attention and a belt buckled.
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