Holly Springs, NC — A North Carolina teenager originally accused of drunk driving is now facing a far more severe legal battle, as authorities have added a second-degree murder charge to the case. Investigators say the teen had been driving “carelessly and recklessly” moments before he fatally struck a young bicyclist and severely injured another driver during the early hours of October 26.
The teen, identified as Ashton Rahlfs, 16, had already been charged with driving while impaired and driving after consuming alcohol under the age of 21. The incident claimed the life of 14-year-old Max Dunham and left 20-year-old Brandon Russell with serious injuries that required hospitalization. Nearly a month after the crash, a grand jury handed down additional charges, intensifying the case against the young driver.
Crash Sequence: Bicyclist Struck, Then Head-On Collision
According to the Holly Springs Police Department, Rahlfs was operating a Honda Passport SUV at approximately 1:40 a.m. on October 26 when he collided with Dunham, who was riding his bicycle. Authorities allege that despite hitting the teen cyclist, Rahlfs continued traveling across the roadway, where he then crashed head-on into Russell’s Honda Civic, trapping Russell inside the crushed vehicle.
Emergency crews had to extricate Russell from the wreckage before rushing him to the hospital, where he remains in serious condition. Dunham was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police say Rahlfs was intoxicated, speeding, and driving with only a learner’s permit, a violation that prohibits unsupervised driving. Evidence suggests he was traveling at more than double the 35 mph speed limit.
Witness Heard “Worst Screaming” Moments After Impact
A nearby resident, Lynwood Montague, whose home sits just steps from where the crash occurred, recalled being jolted by the violent collision. Speaking to WTVD, Montague said he was watching television when he heard “a loud crash” outside. When he stepped out to investigate, the scene quickly turned horrifying.
“I heard the worst screaming I have ever heard, and moaning,” Montague told the station. “I just knew it was bad.”
Alcohol, Speed, and Teen Passengers Inside SUV
Court filings obtained by WRAL revealed that two other teenagers were inside the SUV with Rahlfs at the time of the crash. Investigators reported finding multiple cans of Twisted Tea, both opened and unopened, scattered throughout the vehicle.
Following the crash, Rahlfs reportedly registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.11, well above the legal limit for adults and completely illegal for someone under 21. Police emphasized that Rahlfs had been “driving carelessly and recklessly for a significant time before the crash.”
Full List of Charges Now Facing the Teen
Rahlfs has now been indicted on:
- Second-degree murder
- Death by vehicle
- Serious injury by vehicle
- Driving while impaired (DWI)
- Driving after consuming alcohol under 21
- Violating learner’s permit restrictions
- Additional misdemeanor charges
He is currently being held at the Wake County Jail without bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for December 1.
This case raises big questions about teen driving laws, alcohol access, and accountability. Share your thoughts in the comments — should penalties for underage DUIs be even stricter, or is this already enough?
