Concord, NC (March 6, 2026) – Two drivers were killed early Friday morning, March 7, in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 85, Concord, NC, between Interstate 485 and Poplar Tent Road South near the Concord Airport.
According to Mecklenburg EMS Agency (Medic), the crash occurred shortly after 5 a.m. Investigators with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said Ryan Stamper, 25, was driving a blue Ford Focus the wrong way onto the interstate from the Exit 49 ramp for Bruton Smith Boulevard.
Troopers said the Ford collided head-on with a red Hyundai Santa Fe driven by Robert Muellemann, 54, in the leftmost southbound lane. Both drivers died at the scene from their injuries.
Authorities reported that three additional secondary crashes occurred after the initial collision. Cabarrus County EMS transported two other people to a hospital with minor injuries.
The Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine whether impairment was a factor in the crash.
All southbound lanes of Interstate 85 were closed for several hours near Exit 52 while emergency crews responded and investigators documented the scene. The roadway gradually reopened later in the day.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident.
Our sincere condolences are with the family of the deceased.
Dangers of Wrong-Way Driving
Wrong-way crashes are among the most dangerous highway collisions because they often occur at high speeds and result in head-on impacts. These crashes frequently cause severe or fatal injuries due to the combined force of two vehicles traveling in opposite directions.
Transportation officials encourage drivers to watch for posted ramp signs, avoid driving while impaired or fatigued, and immediately report suspected wrong-way drivers to authorities to help prevent tragic incidents.
