A 22-year-old Wilson, North Carolina, man is facing multiple felony charges after authorities say his car struck two people riding an electric bicycle, killing both of them in an early-morning crash.
Collin McLaughlin has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of felony death by vehicle in connection with the deaths of 49-year-old Jason Williams and 42-year-old Charise Dickerson. The crash happened shortly after 5 a.m. on Sept. 24 along Tilghman Road in Wilson.
Police said Williams and Dickerson were riding together when they were hit from behind by a sedan driven by McLaughlin. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators said the impact sent the e-bike a significant distance from the point of the collision.
Investigation led to murder charges
The case initially remained under investigation, with no immediate arrest or citation issued after the crash. Authorities later said additional investigative work was needed before prosecutors moved forward with charges.
Wilson County District Attorney Jeff Marsigli said investigators wanted to make sure they had sufficient evidence before filing charges as serious as second-degree murder. The charges were ultimately filed after investigators gathered additional information about the circumstances surrounding the crash.
According to investigators, alcohol may have played a role. Police said a breath test conducted after the crash showed signs of impairment, while a sobriety test conducted after McLaughlin was taken to a hospital also indicated impairment. A blood sample was collected and sent to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for analysis. Results from that testing had not yet been available at the time of the bond hearing.
Prosecutors also presented information indicating that McLaughlin was allegedly traveling at 91 mph in a 45-mph zone before the collision.
McLaughlin called his father before 911
McLaughlin is the son of James McLaughlin, a captain with the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Calvin Woodard has confirmed the family connection but said the sheriff’s office has not been involved in the investigation, which is being handled by Wilson police.
After the crash, McLaughlin contacted his father before calling 911, according to the reported emergency call. During the call, he told the dispatcher that he had hit someone and said the person was not breathing. He also told the dispatcher that his father was on the way.
His father arrived while the emergency call was still underway.
The circumstances surrounding that sequence have drawn additional attention because of McLaughlin’s connection to the sheriff’s office, although authorities have stated that Wilson police are handling the investigation.
Previous driving violations also examined
Investigators have also reviewed McLaughlin’s driving history. Public records show several traffic-related cases dating back to 2022, including speeding and a red-light violation.
One earlier case involved an allegation that he was traveling 95 mph in a 45-mph zone. Other speeding cases were also recorded in subsequent years. Several of the previous matters were reduced or otherwise resolved at lower levels rather than resulting in the original charges remaining in place.
Those earlier violations are part of the background being examined in the current case, but they are separate from the charges stemming from the September crash.
$1 million bond and house arrest
McLaughlin later surrendered to authorities and appeared in court. A judge set his bond at $1 million and imposed conditions that include house arrest and electronic monitoring.
He was released after spending roughly 10 hours in custody following the bond decision. The release has prompted strong reactions from relatives of Williams and Dickerson, who have continued to seek answers about the deaths.
The case remains pending, and the charges against McLaughlin are allegations. He has not been convicted of the offenses.
His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 13. Investigators are also awaiting the results of the blood analysis, which could provide additional evidence regarding the impairment allegations.
For the families of Williams and Dickerson, the criminal case now moves forward after days of uncertainty following the crash, while prosecutors continue building the case surrounding the deaths of the two friends.
