At approximately 3 a.m. on Sunday, July 19, the State Highway Patrol responded to a head-on collision on I-85 near mile-marker 163 in Orange County.
A preliminary investigation has revealed that a 2005 Jeep Wrangler, operated by Chandler Michael Kania, 20, of 847 Anns Court, Asheboro, NC, was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of travel on I-85 near mile-marker 163 when he collided head-on into a 2007 Suzuki passenger vehicle. The Suzuki passenger vehicle contained a total of four occupants. Three of the four occupants died upon impact.
The occupants of the Suzuki have been identified as:
Driver - Felecia (NMN) Harris, 49, of 1314 Red Tallen Court, Charlotte, NC (Deceased) Front Seat Passenger - Darlene McGee, 46, of 5720 Copper Creek Court, Apt. 5, Charlotte, NC (Deceased) Back Seat Passenger - Jahnice Baird, 6, of 1344 Pacific Street. Brooklyn, NY (Deceased) Back Seat Passenger – Jahnia King, 9, 1314 Red Tallen Court, Charlotte, NC (Critical Condition – UNC Medical Center)
The driver of the 2005 Jeep Wrangler, Chandler Michael Kania, was transported to UNC Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. He has been charged with the following:
- Driving While Impaired
- Careless and Reckless Driving
- Possession of an Open Container of Alcohol
- Possession of Alcohol by a Person Under 21 years of Age
- Driving by Person less than 21 years old after Consuming Alcohol
Additional charges are expected and will be provided in a follow up release.
Investigators suspect alcohol was a factor in this collision. The Alcohol Law Enforcement Division (ALE) is assisting the State Highway Patrol in this matter.
All questions, should be directed to Lt. Jeff Gordon, Public Information Officer at (919)733-5027 or Jeff.Gordon@ncdps.gov.