Watuaugua County -- May 13, 2026: Charges have been filed against an 18-year-old Zionville man following a fatal head-on collision on N.C. Highway 105 near the Avery-Watauga County line at 10:30 p..m. Alex Gil Hernandez, 18, faces charges of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and reckless driving in connection with the May 12 crash that killed Daylen H. Buchanan, 20, of Bakersville.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the late-night collision involved two Dodge Ram pickup trucks. Troopers said Hernandez was traveling south on N.C. 105 when he crossed the center line, striking Buchanan’s vehicle head-on. Buchanan died at the scene, while Hernandez sustained minor injuries and was transported to Watauga Medical Center. Investigators noted that neither speed nor impairment were suspected as contributing factors in the crash.
The charge of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle under North Carolina law (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20‑141.4) typically applies when a person unintentionally causes another's death while violating a state motor vehicle law, and that violation is the proximate cause of the death, without the involvement of alcohol or drugs. This charge is generally classified as a Class A1 misdemeanor, the most serious misdemeanor class in the state. Potential penalties can include active jail time, probation, fines, community service, and consequences for the driver's license.
Hernandez also faces a charge of reckless driving (N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20‑140). This charge covers operating a vehicle carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others, or without due caution in a manner likely to endanger any person or property. In cases where a driver crosses the center line and causes a fatal crash, this charge is often used when impairment or excessive speed are not factors. Reckless driving is a Class 2 misdemeanor, which can carry potential jail time, fines, and points on a driver's license, impacting insurance and driving privileges.