Some moments change everything. Some losses leave behind a silence words can never truly fill.
On Monday morning, September 21, 2026, Justice Mcray Boyette, 31, of Winston-Salem, lost his life in a devastating crash in Alexander County, North Carolina.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the collision happened around 10:03 a.m. on U.S. 64 near Adams Pond Road, east of Taylorsville.
Boyette was driving a 2024 Ram tow truck westbound on U.S. 64 when the vehicle crossed the center line and entered the path of an oncoming 2023 Freightliner tractor-trailer.
The two vehicles collided head-on. The Ram became fully engulfed in flames, leaving Boyette trapped inside the vehicle.
Boyette suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene.
The driver of the Freightliner was identified as 56-year-old Crystal Sue Austin of Lenoir. She suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center for treatment.
U.S. 64 was closed for several hours while emergency crews and investigators worked at the scene.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol said there will be no charges in connection with the crash. The investigation remains documented as a traffic collision.
Justice Mcray Boyette's sudden death leaves family, friends, and loved ones mourning a 31-year-old life lost in a devastating roadway collision.
