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 head-on crash 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.
North Carolina traffic deaths rose to 1,732 in 2024, up 2.7% from 1,686 in 2023, according to official NCDOT crash statistics. The figures mark a continued post-2020 trend of elevated roadway fatalities across the state.
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 crashes.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Head on collisions generate closing speeds that multiply impact force, turning what might otherwise be a survivable crash into something catastrophic within a single terrifying moment on the roadway."
"In the wake of a fatal accident, legal counsel often leads crash reconstruction, gathers witness statements, and supports grieving families through a difficult recovery process," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
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 motor 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.
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.
"Witness accounts gathered soon after a fatal collision often carry more accuracy than statements collected weeks later," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "Legal counsel frequently prioritizes reaching out to nearby drivers and pedestrians early so honest, reliable recollections remain fresh for surviving relatives seeking clarity."