LELAND, N.C. — Community Mourns After Fatal DWI Crash Claims Life of Local Resident on Mt. Misery Road
A tragic car crash on the evening of June 6 has claimed the life of James Alex Jones, a man in his 60s from Leland, North Carolina. The incident occurred around 9:40 p.m. in the 3100 block of Mt. Misery Road and has left the community reeling, as authorities confirm that the collision involved alcohol and has resulted in serious felony charges.
The Fatal Crash
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol (NCSHP), James Alex Jones was attempting to pull out of a residential driveway onto Mt. Misery Road when his vehicle was struck by another car traveling down the roadway. The impact was severe, and tragically, Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following the initial collision, both vehicles struck a third car. Authorities confirmed that no serious injuries were sustained by occupants of the third vehicle.
A Tragic Turn: Felony Charges Filed
NCSHP troopers have stated that a female driver has been charged with felony hit and run involving serious injury or death, as well as driving while impaired (DWI) in connection to the fatal crash. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, the name of the driver has not been released publicly.
Officials with the highway patrol added that additional charges are likely pending as they continue to piece together the details of what led to the violent and deadly chain-reaction crash.
“It’s a heartbreaking and preventable tragedy,” said a spokesperson for the NCSHP. “We urge all drivers to understand the life-altering consequences of driving impaired—not just for themselves, but for the innocent lives they endanger.”
Remembering James Alex Jones
Friends and neighbors describe James Alex Jones as a gentle, kind-hearted man who lived a quiet life in Leland. He was known in the community as someone who always had a friendly word to share and a helping hand to offer.
“Alex was a good man,” said a longtime neighbor. “He didn’t deserve to die like this. It’s just devastating.”
Jones was reportedly returning from visiting a friend that evening and was simply attempting to merge onto the road when the tragic event occurred. His death has sent ripples through the Leland community, leaving behind family and friends who are now mourning an irreplaceable loss.
A Call for Responsibility
As the investigation continues, the tragedy on Mt. Misery Road serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of impaired driving. The North Carolina Department of Transportation and law enforcement officials continue to advocate for responsible behavior behind the wheel—particularly as summer travel and gatherings increase roadway risks.
Authorities are urging anyone with information or potential witnesses to the crash to contact the NCSHP to aid the investigation. The public’s cooperation could play a vital role in ensuring full accountability in this case.
Moving Forward
While no legal action can undo the pain and grief now gripping the family of James Alex Jones, the pursuit of justice may provide a small measure of closure. The community of Leland now joins the ranks of far too many towns across the country that have seen lives senselessly cut short by impaired drivers.
Plans for Jones’s funeral and memorial services have not yet been announced. In the meantime, community members are rallying around his family, offering prayers, support, and remembrance for a life that should not have ended this way.
As Mt. Misery Road returns to normal traffic patterns, the memory of what happened on June 6 will not soon be forgotten. In the words of one local resident, “It’s not just a news story—it’s someone’s father, neighbor, and friend. We owe it to him to drive better, to be better.”