Mooresville man charged in February wreck that killed wife

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — A man behind the wheel of a van that crashed in Mooresville last month has been charged with the death of his wife.

Stephanie Lynn Merritt, 39, of Mooresville, died on Feb. 24 as a result of injuries she suffered in the Feb. 12 crash, Mooresville Police Maj. Ron Chilton said.

Her husband, Jeffery Wayne Merritt, 36, was the driver.

Merritt was served a warrant by an Iredell County deputy on Wednesday, accusing him of felony death by vehicle. He was given a $10,000 bail.

Merritt was originally charged with driving while impaired by alcohol following the crash on Overhead Bridge Road, Chilton said.

A Mooresville police report said Merritt, who was driving a 1999 Dodge van with six passengers, was traveling south around a curve when he went left of center and off the road. The van hit a culvert head-on and rolled, then struck a utility pole and road sign.

Stephanie Merritt was taken to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte with serious injuries, and later died at the hospital.

Cox Media Group