By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

CHINA GROVE — A Kannapolis man was killed and his wife was seriously injured Monday afternoon during a two-vehicle head-on collision on Old Concord Road.

The crash occurred around 2 p.m. in front of a house at 9420 Old Concord Road, less than a mile from Bostian Heights Fire Department.

N.C. Highway Patrol Trooper S.L. Herrin said Jimmie Michael Long, 67, of Old Salisbury/Concord Road, died at the scene of the crash and his wife, Linda Gurley Long, 68, is in critical, but stable condition.

The couple were traveling north on Old Concord Road in a 1958 Chevrolet Impala when their car was struck by a Honda Civic driven by Asia Lane Sheeks, 21, of Eddleman Road, Kannapolis, who was traveling south on Old Concord Road.

“She ran off the road to the right, over corrected and went left of center. She struck the Impala head-on,” Herrin said.

He estimates Sheeks to be driving 60 mph in a 55 mph speed zone.

Herrin said he did not see where excessive speed or impairment were factors, but the investigation continues. He added that at this point investigators don’t know what caused Sheeks to leave the road.

“We will pull phone records,” Herrin said.

Sheeks broke her clavicle in the collision. She was wearing a seat belt and her air bags did deploy, Herrin said.

Sgt. G.A. Barger said at the scene that Sheeks was in shock. She was taken to the hospital via an ambulance.

Linda Long was airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte where she remains. Herrin said the Impala did not have seat belts or airbags.

Sheeks is being charged with careless and reckless driving as well as a misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.

Bostian Heights Fire Department, Rowan County Rescue, Rowan EMS, and the N.C. Highway Patrol responded. Deputies with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office assisted.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.