Onslow County, NC (September 13, 2026) - Jordan Miller, 20, died at the scene of a collision involving a Ford Fusion and a Dodge Ram on N.C. 172 in Onslow County, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

The crash happened around 5:42 p.m. Sunday near Sneads Ferry, in the vicinity of the Dollar General off N.C. 210. Investigators said the Dodge Ram was traveling west on N.C. 172 when it collided with the Ford Fusion, which was attempting a left turn onto eastbound N.C. 172.

Miller was driving the Ford Fusion. The Dodge Ram driver was taken to Naval Medical Center for treatment.

Highway Patrol arrested Tristan Wilson, 29, of Sneads Ferry on Sunday. He was charged with second-degree murder, felony death by vehicle, misdemeanor death by vehicle, driving while impaired, reckless driving to endanger, speeding in excess of a safe speed, and an open-container violation after consuming alcohol. The charges are allegations, and Wilson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Arrest warrants allege that Wilson was impaired and that his impaired driving caused Miller’s death. They also allege that he was traveling an estimated 65 mph in a 40-mph zone. Troopers reported finding open containers in his vehicle. Highway Patrol said a blood draw was conducted as part of the investigation.

At a subsequent appearance in Onslow County District Court, a judge denied Wilson’s request for bond. Prosecutors discussed his prior criminal history during the hearing. Court records showed guilty pleas to DWI offenses in Person County in 2018 and Caswell County in 2024, with blood alcohol concentrations nearly twice the legal limit in those earlier cases. Those figures concerned the prior offenses, not the N.C. 172 collision.

Legal Questions Following the Fatal N.C. 172 Collision

Jordan Miller’s death led to criminal charges and a bond hearing, but those proceedings do not by themselves resolve a family’s civil legal options. The charges are allegations, and a civil review would examine the available evidence about the collision and the losses caused by the death.

The reported prior DWI convictions concern earlier incidents. The blood alcohol figures discussed for those offenses do not establish Wilson’s blood alcohol concentration in this collision.

A car accident lawyer can explain how the investigation and court proceedings may relate to a potential civil claim. The family can also ask who has authority to act and what further information may be needed.

Support After a Fatal Crash

If you have legal questions about your own circumstances following a fatal crash, call Rosensteel Fleishman at 1-704-714-1450.