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High speed blamed in double fatality

Trooper says car going in excess of 120 mph.

By Sarah Newell Williamson | Hickory Daily Record

Published: October 27, 2009

DENVER - Two people were killed late Sunday after their car crashed into a tree on St. James Church Road.

Brandon Cody Zinn was driving a 2000 Ford Mustang at about 10:30 p.m. on St. James Church Road in Lincoln County, near N.C. 16, said Trooper R.L. Neal with the N.C. Highway Patrol.

Zinn, 20, and his passenger, Timothy Shane Wilkes Jr., 16, were on their way to a friend's house to play X-Box, Neal said. The friends were out in the front yard when they saw Zinn drive by their house, Neal said.

Zinn was driving about 125 mph when he lost control of the car, crossed the centerline and hit the tree, causing the car to break into three pieces, Neal said. The friends saw the wreck and called police.

Zinn died at the scene. Wilkes was airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center, where he died. Both were wearing seatbelts.

Zinn was from Sherrills Ford and Wilkes was from Lincolnton.

Family members of Zinn and Wilkes went to the site Monday.

Timothy Wilkes Sr. had to be carried from the spot where his son's body was found.

"I wanted to come out here and see," he said.

He said his son was raised to love racing, and Zinn, a former Marine, shared his passion. He said Zinn's Mustang was altered to run faster.

"This is no way to go. If you want to race, don't do it in Hickory on the street. Don't do it in Denver on the street. Don't do it nowhere on the street," Wilkes said.

Zinn's brother said he saw the pair pass the house they were going to and hit the tree.

"I tried to help both of them, but there was nothing I could do — absolutely nothing," Colin Zinn said.

Brandon Zinn's friend said he was on the phone with the driver as he crashed.

"The last thing I heard was, 'Oh (expletive),' and then the call ended," Ethan Mullis said.

Wilkes said he had talked to his son three hours before the wreck.

"He said, 'Dad, I love you,'" he said.

Record news partner WSOC-TV, Channel 9 contributed to this report.