By Melanie Davis
An early morning accident claimed the life of a Boone woman on U.S. 321 near the Tweetsie Railroad entrance.
At approximately 12:20 a.m., a 2002 Volkswagen passenger vehicle driven by Jeffrey Lee Warren, 31, of Sugar Grove, crossed the centerline striking an oncoming 2000 Nissan passenger vehicle.
Sgt. V. A. Misenheimer reported the Warren was traveling at a high rate of speed. The Volkswagen slid across the centerline with the rear of Volkswagen colliding with the front end the Nissan.
There were two passengers in the Volkswagen. Shannon L. Beach, 32, of Boone was in the front passenger seat. Tabitha Marie Hilton, 21, of Boone was in the rear seat. The three occupants were trapped in the Volkswagen. Blowing Rock Fire and Rescue performed the extrication and assisted in patient care.
Warren was airlifted from the accident scene to Johnson City Medical Center by Wings Air Rescue. Beach was transported to Watauga Medical Center by Watauga Medics, and was airlifted from there to Johnson City Medical Center, also by Wings Air Rescue. Hilton was killed in the collision.
Warren and Beach both remain in serious condition as of Monday afternoon, though they have been moved out of intensive care.
The Nissan was owned and operated by Kenneth Bryan Taylor, 27, of Boone. Paul Fewell Motten, 26, of Durham was a passenger in the front seat of the Nissan. Both were treated for minor injuries at the scene and did not require medical transport.
According to Misenheimer, officers had not been able to determine if Warren and Beach were wearing seat belts at the time of the collision, citing the extent of damage as a complicating factor in that determination. Misenheimer said Hilton was not wearing a seatbelt.
Both Taylor and Motten were wearing seatbelts in the Nissan.
Misenheimer said alcohol may have been a factor in the collision. The N.C. Highway Patrol are pursuing those results, however, because Warren and Beach were transported to Tennessee results could be delayed.
At this time, Misenheimer said charges are possible. The high rate of speed and the possibility of alcohol involvement could lead to charges against Warren. The case will be turned over to the Watauga County District Attorney's office prior to charges being filed, as per standard procedure for all motor collision deaths investigated by the N.C. Highway Patrol.
Members of the Watauga County Sheriff's Office and Boone Police Department also responded to the scene.