Three dead in Hoke County head-on collision

According to investigators, Matthew Allen English, 31, was driving southeast on N.C. Highway 211 when he hit a 2005 Buick Lacrosse driven by James Douglas Wellington in a northbound lane.

Wellington, 55, was transported to Moore Regional Hospital, where he later died.

Wellington’s father, John Wellington, 84, died after being taken to Caper Fear Valley Hospital while his wife, Joyce Wellington, 69, died at the scene of the accident.

John Wellington served as a Robeson County Commissioner from 2005 to 2010, and also served as a board member at a local community college.

Current Robeson County Commissioner Ricky Harris said the deaths have stunned the community.

"You don't expect something like that to happen," Harris said.

Joyce Wellington's sister, Gail Prescott, 55, survived the crash and was taken to Moore Regional Hospital, where she was listed in stable condition.

Members of the Wellington family told WRAL News that James Wellington was driving his father and the others to a doctors appointment.

English had no visible injuries and refused medical treatment, authorities said. He is currently charged with driving while impaired, careless and reckless driving and driving left of center.

The Highway Patrol is awaiting the results of a blood test to determine if English was under the influence at the time of the crash. English remained in the Harnett County jail Tuesday under a $10,000 bond.