CARTHAGE — Margaret Marie Davis of Aberdeen pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and aggravated felony death by motor vehicle in Moore County Superior Court in April, Moore County District Attorney Michael K. Hardin announced Tuesday.
Davis was involved in a fatal traffic collision on Sept. 27, 2021, at approximately 1:30 a.m. at the intersection of Ashe Street and Indiana Avenue in Southern Pines. According to the announcement, Davis, operating a Mazda 6 sedan, was traveling at about 60 mph in a 35 mph zone when she ran a stop sign and struck a Jeep Cherokee SUV driven by Jerry Wilson, also of Aberdeen.
The impact caused Wilson’s Jeep to roll over onto its top. Both drivers, the sole occupants of their vehicles, were transported by helicopter to UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill with severe injuries.
Investigating officers noticed a strong odor of alcohol coming from Davis and her vehicle. Medical records obtained by a search warrant revealed that Davis’ blood alcohol level was no less than 0.19 at the time of the crash, according to an expert contacted by the state.
Wilson, a retired Chief of ABC Enforcement Officers, died 12 days later at UNC Hospitals due to injuries sustained in the crash.
Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Michael A. Stone sentenced Davis to 132-171 months in the NC Department of Adult Corrections. Davis had two prior convictions for driving while impaired in Moore County in 2017 and 2011.
Assistant District Attorney Brian Chapman prosecuted the case.
