Location: 2800 block of Tilghman Road, Wilson, North Carolina
Date: Thursday, September 24, 2026
Accused: Collin McLaughlin, 22
Charges: Two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of felony death by vehicle
Status: Released on $1 million bond; case pending
Jason Williams, 49, and Charise Dickerson, 42, were killed in Wilson, North Carolina, on September 24, 2026, when a car struck the electric bike they were riding together on Tilghman Road. Wilson police have charged the driver, 22-year-old Collin McLaughlin, with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of felony death by vehicle.
McLaughlin is the son of a longtime captain at the Wilson County Sheriff's Office. He was charged six days after the crash, turned himself in on Friday, October 2, and was released the same day on a $1 million bond. The victims' families are now asking publicly whether the case is being handled fairly.
Who Were Jason Williams and Charise Dickerson?
Relatives and friends have described the two to WRAL News as people who were deeply loved. Clifton Hines, a childhood friend of Williams, told the station, "Jason was loving, had a heart of gold."
Dickerson's daughter, Danaja Dickerson, told WRAL, "I feel empty." Her mother, Alesia Dickerson, said Charise was her only daughter.
What Happened on Tilghman Road?
According to Wilson police, officers were called just after 5 a.m. on Thursday, September 24, to a crash in the 2800 block of Tilghman Road. Police told WITN that McLaughlin was driving a sedan that hit the back of the electric bike Williams and Dickerson were riding. Both died at the scene.
Police said an officer gave McLaughlin a breath test at the scene and that it indicated impairment. WRAL, citing a search warrant, reported that he tested positive for alcohol on a preliminary breath-testing device and later showed signs of impairment during standardized field sobriety testing at Wilson Medical Center. Police also ordered a blood draw, which was sent to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation for analysis. No result has been reported.
WRAL also reported that McLaughlin phoned his father before calling 911.
Has Anyone Been Arrested?
Yes. McLaughlin was not arrested at the scene. The Wilson Police Department charged him on Wednesday, September 30, WRAL reported, and he turned himself in on the morning of Friday, October 2, with an attorney present. WITN reported that day that he was being held without bond. A bond of $1 million was then set, and he left the Wilson County Detention Center on Friday afternoon after a little more than 10 hours in custody, according to WRAL.
The North Carolina Beat, citing court records, reported that the release conditions include house arrest with electronic monitoring.
McLaughlin has not been convicted of anything in this case. He is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.
Court records cited by WRAL and WITN show that McLaughlin had earlier traffic charges going back to 2022, including a reckless driving charge that year and speeding and red-light citations in 2026. WRAL reported that those charges were reduced to lesser offenses.
Why Did Charges Take Six Days?
The gap between the crash and the charges is at the centre of the families' concerns. Wilson County District Attorney Jeff Marsigli told WRAL that more investigation was needed before a charge this serious could be filed. "Criminal law is not really designed to punish accidents," he said, adding that his office wanted to get it right.
Marsigli also addressed the fact that no arrest was made on the morning of the crash. "I think you could argue that the young man could have been arrested for DWI on the scene," he told the station.
Because of McLaughlin's family ties to local law enforcement, Marsigli said the prosecution will likely be handled by the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys instead of his own office, to avoid any perceived conflict of interest.
What the Families and the Sheriff's Office Have Said
Williams's sister, Angela Williams, told WRAL that the family has questions about whether the investigation is being handled fairly. "We are not asking for anyone to be treated differently," she said. "We are just asking for transparency, answers and accountability."
Hines said the victims' loved ones had feared the case would be swept under the rug.
Wilson County Sheriff Calvin Woodard confirmed that the accused is the son of Captain James McLaughlin, who has worked at the sheriff's office for about 30 years. Woodard said in a statement reported by WITN that "the police department is the only agency investigating this case, and the sheriff's office has not been involved." In a separate statement reported by WRAL, the sheriff's office said it has not influenced, or tried to influence, any decision made by the District Attorney's Office.
No official finding has been made that the investigation was mishandled.
What Happens Next
The North Carolina Beat reported that McLaughlin is due back in court on October 13, 2026, at the Wilson County Courthouse for a probable cause hearing.
Timeline of the Jason Williams and Charise Dickerson Case
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| September 24, 2026 | Just after 5 a.m., a car strikes an e-bike on Tilghman Road in Wilson. Jason Williams and Charise Dickerson die at the scene. |
| September 30, 2026 | Wilson police charge Collin McLaughlin with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of felony death by vehicle, according to WRAL. |
| October 1, 2026 | District Attorney Jeff Marsigli explains the delay and says an outside prosecutor will likely handle the case. |
| October 2, 2026 | McLaughlin turns himself in, is given a $1 million bond and is released that afternoon. |
| October 13, 2026 | Probable cause hearing scheduled in Wilson County, according to The North Carolina Beat. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is charged in the deaths of Jason Williams and Charise Dickerson?
Collin McLaughlin, 22, is charged with second-degree murder and felony death by vehicle. He has not been convicted and is presumed innocent.
Is Collin McLaughlin in jail?
No. He was released on a $1 million bond on October 2, 2026, after a little more than 10 hours in custody, according to WRAL.
Was the sheriff's office involved in the investigation?
Sheriff Calvin Woodard said the Wilson Police Department is the only agency investigating and that his office has not been involved.
When is the next court date?
A probable cause hearing is scheduled for October 13, 2026, at the Wilson County Courthouse, The North Carolina Beat reported.
MotiveX covers cases like this in documentary form on YouTube.
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