Last Updated on June 28, 2025 8:40 pm
A Wilkes County deputy is among those killed in a fatal collision Friday night.
On Friday, June 27, at approximately 7:00 p.m., the NC State Highway Patrol (NCSHP) responded to and investigated a fatal collision in Wilkes County on Red White and Blue Road near Ruth Linny Road.
A 2003 Jeep Liberty traveling north on Red White and Blue Road crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a southbound 2018 Nissan Altima. The driver of the Jeep, Randy Lee Johnson, 62, of Wilkesboro, succumbed to his injuries at the scene. He was not wearing a seatbelt.
The driver of the Nissan, Johnathan Andrew Laws, 34, of Roaring River, a Wilkes County deputy, was transported by medical helicopter to Hugh Chatham Health in Elkin, where he succumbed to his injuries.
A backseat passenger, Vickie Gustafson Key, 72, of Roaring River, succumbed to her injuries at the scene. Two additional passengers were transported by EMS to Hugh Chatham Health with non-life-threatening injuries.
Red White and Blue Road was closed in the area for approximately two hours during the on-scene investigation. The initial investigation does not indicate that speed or alcohol were contributing factors in the collision.
