AYDEN, Pitt County, N.C., Oct. 12, 2026 — A head-on crash on Stokestown-St. Johns Road killed an Ayden man Saturday morning, October 10, and left another driver with serious injuries, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
Troopers said they responded around 9 a.m. to the crash scene just north of N.C. 102. A southbound 2026 Lincoln pickup reportedly crossed the centerline and struck a northbound 2015 Chevrolet pickup head-on.
The Chevrolet's driver, identified by troopers as 50-year-old Brian Sumerlin of Ayden, died at the scene. The Lincoln's driver, 32-year-old Myles Evans of Wilson, was taken to ECU Health in Greenville with serious injuries.
Charges against Evans are pending as Highway Patrol continues investigating what led the truck to cross into oncoming traffic.
We offer our deepest sympathy to the family of the victim, and we wish the injured driver a full recovery.
A Common Misconception About Head-On Crashes
Many drivers assume head-on crashes mostly happen on busy, multi-lane highways where speeds are highest and traffic is heaviest. In practice, two-lane rural roads, the kind without a median or barrier separating opposing traffic, see a large share of these collisions, often where a vehicle drifts or crosses the centerline rather than where drivers are intentionally passing into danger.
Another assumption is that seat belts matter less in a head-on crash because the forces involved are too great to make a difference. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 44 percent of fatally injured passenger-vehicle occupants in frontal impacts were belted in 2023, meaning belt use remains common even among those who do not survive, but it does not mean belts are ineffective. It reflects how severe frontal crashes can be regardless of restraint use, not that buckling up carries no benefit.
The road type itself, often a narrow two-lane route with no physical separation between directions, plays a bigger role in these crashes than most drivers realize. A momentary lapse, a mechanical issue, or a brief loss of control can send a vehicle across the line with little room for either driver to react.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can drivers reduce the chance of a head-on collision?
Staying alert for lane drift, avoiding distraction, and slowing down on unfamiliar or narrow two-lane roads all help. Correcting a drift gradually, rather than jerking the wheel, also lowers the chance of overcorrecting into oncoming traffic.
Where do most head-on crashes happen?
They concentrate on two-lane rural roads without a median or center barrier, where opposing traffic is separated only by a painted line.
Do median barriers actually prevent these crashes?
Physical barriers, from cable rail to concrete dividers, are effective because they remove the possibility of a vehicle crossing into oncoming lanes entirely, which a painted line cannot do.
What to Do After a Head-On Crash in Ayden, NC
Anyone involved in a head-on crash should call 911 immediately and, when it's safe, move to a protected area away from traffic. Even if injuries seem minor at first, a medical evaluation is worth getting right away, since adrenaline can mask pain from internal injuries or whiplash. Keep a copy of the police report and any medical records in case they're needed later, and reach out to your insurance company to begin the claims process as soon as you're able.
