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Crashed car found with blood inside, but driver missing 10 days after crash

The keys were in the car as well as a great deal of blood, and there was an indent of the driver's head left on the windshield. Authorities say it's hard to believe anyone could have walked away from the crash.

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By
Amanda Lamb
, WRAL reporter
MORRISVILLE, N.C. — Ten days ago, Dale Wheeler, 56, crashed his car into a utility trailer on Church St. beneath Interstate 540. The car was found, but the driver is still missing.

The keys were in the car as well as a great deal of blood, and there was an indent of the driver's head left on the windshield. Authorities say it's hard to believe anyone could have walked away from the crash.

Wheeler's friends and family are asking for help to find him.

Crashed car found with blood inside, but driver missing 10 days after crash

"Maybe he doesn't even know who he is," said Denise Spinelli, his friend. She's concerned head trauma could have made him lose his memory.

Spinelli plays tennis with Wheeler regularly. She's helping organize searches in the area around the crash site, as well as reaching out on social media and hanging up flyers around town.

"I'm one of those people that doesn't give up," she said.

Wheeler's family and friends are working with Morrisville Police to help find Wheeler. They're hoping the more publicity the case gets, the more likely someone who knows where he is will come forward.

"[It is] so bizarre beyond words that we can't find him." said Spinelli.

Crashed car found with blood inside, but driver missing 10 days after crash

She said she hopes officials bring out more help in finding him, suggesting the use of cadaver dogs.

"I mean, if that's what... you know, if this is a recovery," she said, with some hope they may yet find her friend alive.

Besides being an avid tennis player, Wheeler works in IT for a Durham company. His employer reported him missing last Tuesday when he didn’t show up for work.

Morrisville Police said they have no new updates, but they're hoping coverage on the news will help generate some leads.

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