Winston-Salem, NC (June 02, 2026) - Local reports and police statements confirmed that a two-vehicle crash occurred around 12:50 p.m. on Tuesday on US-52 northbound north of Motor Road in Winston-Salem.

According to the Winston-Salem Police Department, the crash involved a 2021 Dodge driven by Thomas James Smith III, 49, and a 2012 Honda driven by Nicole Bumiller Uzzell, 59. Officers reported that Smith was traveling northbound when his vehicle left the roadway to the left and struck the median guardrail. The Dodge then collided with the Honda in the right northbound lane before coming to rest in the median.

Smith was found unresponsive at the scene and was taken to a local hospital, where he died. Police later said that, after consultation with the Medical Examiner, investigators determined Smith had suffered a medical emergency while driving. Officials stated that the crash injuries were not considered life-threatening and that Smith died as a result of the medical emergency.

The Honda slowed to a stop on the right shoulder after the collision. Reports did not indicate additional serious injuries to the other driver. The Winston-Salem Police Department Traffic Enforcement Unit initially responded to the investigation, and officials later stated that the case was no longer being investigated as a traffic-related death.

The crash caused a section of US-52 northbound near Patterson Avenue to close for about two hours Tuesday afternoon. Police diverted traffic onto Patterson Avenue and advised drivers to return to the highway at Germanton Road. The roadway later reopened.

Smith was identified as a Surry County Sheriff’s Detention Officer. The Surry County Sheriff’s Office publicly acknowledged his death and asked the community to keep his family, friends, coworkers, and fellow detention center staff in their thoughts during the difficult period.

Understanding the Review Process After a Winston-Salem Car Accident

Initial reports often explain what happened at the scene, but they do not always answer every practical question that can follow a serious traffic incident. In many cases, officials review vehicle movement, roadway conditions, witness accounts, medical findings, and available physical evidence before reaching final conclusions about how an event unfolded.

A car accident can also create financial concerns that extend beyond immediate medical care, including time away from work, follow-up treatment, vehicle damage, and longer recovery needs. When questions remain about roadway events or insurance responsibility, families may need to hire a car accident lawyer to review the records connected to the incident.

Medical documentation can play an important role in this process because it may help separate crash-related injuries from unrelated health events. Insurance reviews may also consider comparative fault, available coverage, statements from those involved, and whether any party’s actions contributed to the loss or damages being claimed.

What Families May Face After a Winston-Salem Car Accident

After the immediate facts are reported, families often begin looking at medical bills, lost income, property damage, funeral expenses, and the personal impact of a sudden loss or serious injury. In a car accident case, legal counsel may review both economic damages, such as documented costs, and non economic damages, such as pain, grief, and changes to daily life. Rosensteel Fleishman Car Accident & Injury Lawyers can help people understand how these issues are commonly evaluated after a crash. “Good preparation means looking carefully at the records before decisions are made,” said Attorney Corey Rosensteel. “Families deserve to understand what information matters and how it may affect the next steps.”