By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

CHINA GROVE — Authorities charged a Kannapolis woman with misdemeanor death by vehicle after a wreck Monday that resulted in the death of  67-year-old Jimmie Michael Long.

Asia Lane Sheeks, 21, of Eddleman Road, is also charged with careless and reckless driving.

Long was killed and his wife was seriously injured Monday afternoon in 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 Long, of Old Salisbury/Concord Road, died at the scene of the crash. His wife, Linda Gurley Long, 68, is hospitalized 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 Sheeks, 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 estimated Sheeks was 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 suffered a broken 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.

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.