Wilkesboro teenager dies after his vehicle struck a construction vehicle on U.S. 421 West

A Wilkesboro teenager died Friday when his vehicle struck the rear of a construction vehicle on U.S. 421 West, authorities said. Another man was injured.

The crash happened at 12:10 a.m. on the highway near Zion Hill Church Road, Wilkesboro police said.

The collision involved a 2007 Chevrolet Impala driven by Dillion Mullis, 19, and a 2023 Caterpillar construction vehicle driven by Miguel Benitez, 44, of Lexington, police said.

Mullis was driving west at 80 mph when Mullis failed to reduce his speed, and his vehicle struck Benitz's vehicle, police said.

When officers arrived at the scene, Mullis was inside his burning vehicle, police said. Officers worked to put out the fire before Wilkesboro firefighters arrived.

Mullis died of his injuries, police said. Benitez suffered minor, non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigators determined that speed may have been a factor in the crash, police said.

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