DOBSON — Brianna Marie Voland, an 18-year-old Dobson high school student, was killed Sunday night in a head-on collision.
The incident occurred around 6 p.m. on Zephyr Road near the intersection of White Road (in the Salem Fork community), according to John Shelton, Surry County director of emergency services.
Voland had been traveling in the eastbound lane toward Dobson when her 1996 Mitsubishi crossed the center lane, striking a pickup truck heading west (toward Interstate 77), according to Sgt. Mitch Whitener of the N.C. State Highway Patrol.
She was pronounced dead on the scene of “multi-system trauma,” Shelton said.
The driver of the other vehicle, Kenneth Huffman, 78, of Ararat, was transported to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in critical but stable condition, according to Shelton.
The EMS director noted that both drivers had been wearing seat belts.
Whitener said the Highway Patrol has not yet determined what factors may have contributed to the accident.
“That’s something we are still investigating,” he said.
Voland was a senior at the Surry Early College, a Surry County Schools spokesperson confirmed Monday. Officials with the school district paid their respects to the family Monday afternoon.
“We are extremely saddened by this news,” said Superintendent Travis Reeves. “We ask that you please keep this family and school in your thoughts and prayers during this very sad and difficult time.”
On track to receive an Associate of Arts degree, Voland served on the school’s health advisory council and prom committee, Reeves said, and was also a member of the Interact Club.
“Her friends and teachers say they will miss her greatly,” he said.
An announcement published from the school’s Facebook account stated that guidance counselors will be available at the school to talk with students and provide support.
“This is a great loss for all of us,” the post read. “We are extremely saddened by this news and wanted to keep families informed about this incident and the support measures that have been put in place to help our students.”
