Harnett County I-95 was quiet in the early hours of Saturday when a fatal crash cut through the calm. A well-known figure in Carolina Beach Music, Howard Douglas Winstead, lost his life on the interstate in a sudden collision that shocked fans and fellow musicians alike.
Authorities say the crash happened shortly before 2:06 a.m. on the northbound lanes of I-95 near Exit 73. Winstead, 67, from Concord, was driving a 2019 Chrysler van when he struck the rear of a Peterbilt tractor-trailer carrying gasoline.
The impact took place in the far left lane. Investigators say there were no immediate signs pointing to what caused the van to drift into the truck. The full sequence of events is still under review as officials continue to piece together what happened in those early morning minutes.
Emergency crews from Dunn arrived quickly after the crash was reported. Firefighters and paramedics found Winstead trapped inside the vehicle. Despite efforts to save him at the scene, he was pronounced dead where the crash occurred.
Winstead was not just another driver on the road that night. He was a central voice in the Band of Oz, a group deeply rooted in Carolina Beach Music history. Known for his vocals and trumpet work, he had built a long career that earned him respect across the regional music scene.
Over the years, he was recognized within the Carolina Beach Music Awards community, including Hall of Fame honors and industry nominations. He had also worked with other groups in earlier parts of his career, contributing to a sound that defined a generation of beach music fans.
Friends and bandmates described him as someone who lived for the stage. One longtime member of Band of Oz said the news hit hard and left the group shaken as they tried to process the loss of a man they had performed with for decades.
Traffic on the interstate was halted for several hours after the crash as investigators worked the scene and cleared debris. The northbound lanes eventually reopened later that morning, but the impact of the incident lingered far beyond the roadway.
Officials say the investigation remains open, with a trooper assigned to determine exactly how the crash unfolded. For now, the focus remains on a life ended abruptly on a stretch of highway that turned tragic in the dark of night.
