Rockingham County, NC – A devastating motorcycle accident in Rockingham County has left two individuals, Stephen Matyas and Meghan Justine, tragically killed. The incident occurred amidst a five-motorcycle crash that unfolded on U.S. Route 220 near Williams Road.
The State Highway Patrol responded to the scene on Friday, September 1, around 11 a.m., following reports of the crash. According to officials, a 63-year-old man from King was heading north on U.S. 220, operating a 2005 Freightliner tractor, pulling an open-top semitrailer. Tragically, an arm attached to the semitrailer became entangled with an overhead utility line that spanned across U.S. 220. This collision caused part of the overhead tarping system to detach from the vehicle, landing in the roadway alongside the utility line.
Shockingly, the driver of the tractor failed to remain at the scene of the crash and continued north on U.S. 220, leaving chaos in his wake.
A group of motorcyclists was passing through the area where the line had been torn down. Tragically, they became ensnared in the line, resulting in a catastrophic collision. Among the victims were Stephen Matyas, 33, from St. Petersburg, Florida, and Meghan Justine Brannon, 29, from Seminole, Florida, both of whom lost their lives at the scene.
Three other motorcyclists involved in the crash sustained serious injuries and were promptly transported to the hospital for treatment. Fortunately, they have since been released after receiving medical care.
Investigators managed to locate the suspected vehicle and driver on Friday evening. They are now preparing to confer with the Rockingham County District Attorney’s Office later this week to discuss potential charges in relation to the incident.
Initially, U.S. 220 near Williams Road was completely closed in both directions. However, following the accident, crews were able to reopen the southbound lanes, while the northbound lanes remained closed for approximately four hours as investigators diligently worked to gather information.
The family and friends of the Stephen Matyas and Meghan Justine described them as beautiful partners who loved themselves and their community of friends by saying;
“The weight on our hearts is unmeasurable right now . The world changed on Friday and will never be the same. We lost our Meghan Justine and Stephen Matyas.
Meghan, was a force to be reckoned with. She was beautiful, intelligent, compassionate and kind. Steve, was loyal, strong, hilarious and kind. They loved each other fiercely and loved their family and friends just as hard. Their love for their nephew and nieces was epically beautiful.
Our lives and the lives they touched will never be the same. We take some solace in knowing they are together in heaven and that Meghan has been reunited with her Amelia.
Services for Meghan will be announced once they are finalized. Please pray for our family and for all of those who loved them.
If anyone has photos of Meghan and Steve we would love to see them.”.
As the investigation into this tragic motorcycle crash continues, the community mourns the loss of Stephen Matyas and Meghan Justine, while extending their heartfelt condolences to the affected families.
