Stella Dase Killed in Albemarle Bus Accident
Dustin Kendall charged after unsecured road debris triggers deadly head-on collision on Highway 52
Stella Dase, 60, was killed in a commercial bus accident on Highway 52 near Salisbury Avenue in Albemarle, North Carolina, on Wednesday, according to police.
Dustin Kendall, 37, of New London, was charged with failure to secure a load and driving with an expired registration in connection with the deadly wreck.
A southbound Jeep struck road debris dropped by Kendall's vehicle, causing the driver to lose control and cross into the northbound lanes. The Jeep collided head-on with a Stanly County Public Transportation bus driven by Dase, before a northbound Ford pickup rear-ended the bus.
Dase was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Jeep was taken to a local hospital with serious injuries, while no other injuries were reported.
Officers identified Kendall as the driver of the vehicle that dropped the debris and then filed the charges. The crash remains under investigation.
According to the Federal Transit Administration, 124 death involving public transit were reported nationwide in fiscal year 2024.
How do unsecured loads cause head-on collisions on Highway 52?
While police pursue criminal charges against the driver who lost the load, independent investigations are important in fatal commercial transit crashes. Unsecured debris creates sudden, unpredictable hazards on high-speed corridors, forcing drivers into evasive maneuvers that frequently result in catastrophic secondary impacts.
National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. "Bus crashes are often complex, and many factors can play a role in these types of accidents."
When a vehicle strikes debris, the resulting loss of control can send it across the center line, leaving oncoming drivers with no time to react. Investigators will review the debris field, tire marks, and vehicle damage to reconstruct the exact sequence of events that led to the fatal head-on impact.
What are the legal options for the family of Dase?
Families facing the sudden loss of a loved one in a commercial vehicle crash often must handle parallel criminal proceedings and civil claims. The criminal charges against the driver who dropped the debris establish a foundation for liability, but a civil investigation focuses on securing compensation for the victim's estate.
"We understand just what families are forced to go through, and having their rights protected is vital," said National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, Of Counsel at Bond Legal. "A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help protect their legal rights and best interests."
In cases involving public transit employees, investigations also examine workers' compensation frameworks alongside third-party liability claims against the negligent driver.
North Carolina wrongful death statute
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.