Local beach musician dies after rear-ending tanker truck on I-95 in Harnett County, troopers say

A man was killed in a crash around 2 a.m. Saturday while driving north on Interstate 95 near Dunn.

2026-04-11

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to the crash involving a tanker truck and a minivan on I-95N near Pope Road in Harnett County. 

Howard Winstead Jr., 67, of Concord died at the scene, according to troopers. 

He was the lead vocalist in Band of Oz, a well-known beach music band in the Carolinas, according to Facebook posts.

Troopers said Winstead was speeding when he ran into the back of the tanker truck. 

The road reopened at 5:47 a.m., and troopers are still investigating the crash.