Family remembers bus driver killed in Stanly County crash

A 60-year-old Stanly County employee died yesterday morning in a multi-vehicle crash at the intersection of Highway 52 and Salisbury Avenue.

The Albemarle Police Department reported that the collision was caused by an unsecured load that fell from a truck. That unsecured object was in the road when it caused a Jeep to lose control and cross into oncoming traffic. That Jeep then struck a Stanly County transportation van driven by Stella Dase.

A second truck then struck the van shortly after the initial impact. Dase was killed in the crash. The driver of the Jeep was transported to a hospital with serious injuries.

Stanly County officials reported that another county employee was also injured while participating in a training ride-along inside the transportation van.

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Police charged 37-year-old Dustin Kendall with failing to secure the load that the Jeep struck in the roadway.

According to the Albemarle Police Department, the truck involved had not properly secured the items it was carrying.

Tina Turner, Dase’s cousin, said that driving was a passion for the 60-year-old victim. Turner described Dase as a woman who was deeply committed to her faith.

“Letting people know the goodness of God was her main focus in life,” Turner said. “I know that if they came across her, they met God.”

Turner said her cousin left behind a legacy of grace and recalled how Dase supported her during difficult periods.

“When I went through a hard spell in my life, she took me into her home. And I’ll never forget her for being there for me,” Turner said.

Despite the family’s grief, Turner said she is praying for Kendall and his family, stating that Dase would have wanted that compassion.

“It’s a bad situation. I don’t know how that person is feeling,” Turner said. “That person could be feeling the worst. He could be feeling, or she could be feeling, because of the accident, you know? I don’t know, but I just pray that God continues to comfort and strengthen them as well.”

Turner also said the family is finding comfort in their faith and the memory of Dase’s character.

“I know God welcomed her in. He welcomed her in; he did with open arms. Because she was so beautiful,” Turner said.

The investigation into this incident is ongoing.