Aulander, NC (August 09, 2026) - Information provided by local news sources indicates that a husband and wife were killed in a two-vehicle collision on NC-11 in Hertford County early Sunday morning. The crash occurred at approximately 1:39 a.m. north of the NC-11 Business intersection with Millennium Road.

According to a crash report prepared by North Carolina State Highway Patrol Trooper Chris Copeland, 41-year-old Shonta Bunch was driving a 2001 Toyota passenger car south on NC-11. Her husband, 46-year-old Cassius Bunch, was seated in the front passenger seat.

A 1999 Ford Expedition driven by 50-year-old Ronald Couch Jr. of Dinwiddie, Virginia, was traveling north on NC-11. Couch was the only person in the Ford when the two vehicles collided head-on.

Both vehicles came to rest in the roadway following the collision. The Ford overturned onto its driver’s side. The Toyota remained upright and stopped facing south in the northbound lane.

Cassius Bunch was pronounced dead at the scene. Hertford County EMS transported Shonta Bunch to ECU Health Roanoke-Chowan Hospital in Ahoskie, where she died shortly after arriving.

Couch was charged with driving while impaired. The Highway Patrol continues to investigate which vehicle crossed the centerline before the collision. A collision reconstruction unit was sent to assist with the investigation, and no final determination about how the crash occurred had been announced.

The deaths were the eighth and ninth traffic fatalities reported this year in the Highway Patrol’s Troop A District II, which covers Bertie, Gates, and Hertford counties. Five of those deaths occurred in Hertford County.

What Happens During a North Carolina Head On Crash Investigation

A collision investigation may continue well after emergency crews leave the scene. Officers can review vehicle positions, roadway markings, physical damage, witness accounts, and available electronic evidence before deciding how the crash occurred. A criminal charge issued during the investigation does not by itself answer every question about the cause of the collision or civil responsibility.

In a serious car accident, records created shortly afterward can become important as insurance companies and others evaluate what happened. A crash report, medical records, photographs, repair assessments, and reconstruction findings may help a highway auto accident attorney examine the sequence of events and determine which issues still require investigation.

North Carolina claims may also involve insurance coverage, medical expenses, funeral costs, lost financial support, and communication with several insurers. Keeping records organized and waiting for the official investigation to develop can help families respond to questions using documented information rather than incomplete early accounts.

What Families Can Do After an Aulander Car Accident

Once the immediate investigation is underway, families may need to manage insurance requests, obtain official records, preserve available evidence, and understand how North Carolina law applies to the loss. Experienced legal counsel can coordinate those procedures, examine whether additional insurance coverage is available, and help prevent important deadlines or evidence from being overlooked. At Rosensteel Fleishman law firm, we help individuals and families understand what information matters and what steps may follow a serious car accident. Attorney Corey Rosensteel puts it this way: “Families deserve straightforward answers about what is known, what is still being investigated, and what they can do next. That understanding makes it easier to make informed decisions during a difficult time.”