Ernest Duncan Ames IV Killed in Iredell County Car Accident
Kevin Guadalupe Quintana charged with felony death by motor vehicle following early morning crash
Ernest Duncan Ames IV, 45, of Hickory, was killed in a two-vehicle collision on Interstate 40 near Cool Springs in Iredell County early Friday, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
The collision occurred just after 3 a.m. near mile marker 160. A 2021 Ram 3500 pickup truck struck a 2002 Ram 1500 that was disabled in the westbound emergency lane. Ames was in the rear cab of the disabled truck when the crash occurred. He was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene.
Troopers arrested Kevin Guadalupe Quintana, 28, of Mount Airy, at the scene. He is charged with felony death by motor vehicle after investigators determined he was speeding and impaired by alcohol at the time of the crash.
Quintana is being held at the Iredell County Detention Center on a $750,000 secured bond.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 36,640 people died in traffic crashes in 2025, a 6.7 percent drop from 2024.
While the criminal case against the driver proceeds, investigators will continue to examine the physical evidence from a crash site to determine the exact sequence of events.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Surveillance footage often becomes the single most valuable piece of evidence after a serious roadway tragedy, since a few grainy seconds can settle disputes that witness memory alone could never resolve with any real certainty."
"An attorney moves quickly to preserve that footage before an automatic overwrite erases the file, understanding that a short delay can permanently destroy the clearest picture of what actually happened," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
The sudden loss of a loved one in a traffic crash leaves families facing both deep grief and complex legal systems.
Understanding the distinction between the criminal prosecution of the at-fault driver and the civil rights of the victim's estate is an important step after such incidents.
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-18-2, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. North Carolina applies contributory negligence. The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of services and companionship, funeral expenses, and the estate's losses.
"Initial crash site investigations begin with securing physical perimeters, aiding victims, and preserving fleeting physical evidence," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "Legal counsel steps forward early during this critical process, ensuring vital physical proof remains fully intact for grieving relatives."