Mary Frances Long Dies in Head-On Crash Near Shallotte

clock Created with Sketch Beta. September 24, 2026
Mary Frances Long Dies in Head-On Crash Near Shallotte

SHALLOTTE, NC, (September 09, 2026) – Mary Frances Long, 53, of Crusoe, was killed Wednesday morning in a head-on crash involving a DWI driver near Shallotte in Brunswick County.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Long was driving a 2023 Nissan Rogue eastbound on N.C. Highway 130 while a Jeep Liberty was traveling west on the same roadway.

The collision occurred around 10:35 a.m. when the Jeep driver, Charlotte Russ Milligan, 54, of Ash, crossed the centerline and struck Long’s vehicle head-on.

Long suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene. Milligan was transported to a hospital with injuries.

Milligan was initially charged with driving while impaired, driving while license revoked for an impaired-driving offense, misdemeanor death by vehicle, and driving left of center. An aggravated felony death by vehicle charge was added on September 13.

Milligan was arrested September 21 on the aggravated felony charge and given a $125,000 secured bond. According to an arrest affidavit, Milligan told investigators she had taken methadone before driving.

Court records show Milligan also had a prior impaired-driving conviction in Brunswick County District Court on December 8, 2025.


DWI CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED

Drinking and driving is 100% preventable and can result in serious physical, emotional, and financial consequences that may continue for years. A DWI can injure or kill someone, permanently affecting the lives of victims and survivors. It can also lead to substantial legal issues, difficulty finding or keeping employment, and lasting regret. Numerous sober-ride options are available.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 37 people die in drunk-driving crashes each day, while approximately 32% of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers.

Candice Bond, an experienced DWI accident attorney, said that in cases such as this, an independent investigation by a seasoned attorney should be conducted promptly to protect the rights of a victim’s family.

“Having the proper resources is extremely important to investigate a DWI accident case and prove negligence. Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide a grieving family during this difficult time, protecting their legal rights, while ensuring that a drunk driver is held accountable for their reckless actions,” said Bond, a Managing Partner of Bond Legal.

“Road conditions, signage visibility, and road lighting are all possible contributing factors that are considered and must thoroughly be examined. These procedures are necessary for helping someone who has been killed at the hands of a DWI driver receive the justice and monetary compensation that they deserve,” added Bond.


WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM

Pending the investigation, the family of Mary Frances Long may be entitled to pursue a wrongful death claim. Relatives of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress after a tragic or catastrophic accident such as this.

“We understand that losing a loved one is not only a deeply emotional loss but also an economic one,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal. “If you have lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, contact a wrongful death attorney and get the guidance needed to obtain the justice you deserve.”

“Grieving families of victims are sometimes overwhelmed by the legal processes that are in place to protect their rights. An attorney can be a valuable and compassionate resource, helping guide a family through this difficult time and ensuring that those left behind receive the restitution they are entitled to.”


(This report is based on verified data - learn more on our About Us page.)


If your loved one has been killed by a drunken driver and would like a no-cost consultation, please contact our national legal analyst Candice Bond today

(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Accident Injury News can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-986-7738 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).

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