Warrants: Eight cans of Twisted Tea found at scene of Holly Springs crash that killed 14-year-old

Eight cans of the alcoholic beverage Twisted Tea were found at the site of a Holly Springs crash that killed a 14-year-old on a bicycle and injured another teenager, according to search warrants.

2026-02-17

The 16-year-old driver, Ashton Rahlfs, a 10th grader at Holly Springs High School, was arrested following the Oct. 26, 2025, crash on Avent Ferry Road near Holly Meadow Drive.

Rahlfs is accused of driving drunk and at more than twice the posted speed limit when he hit the 14-year-old then crossed the center line and hit a Honda Civic. The bicyclist, Max Dunham, died, and 19-year-old Brandon Russell, who was in the Civic, was critically injured.

Rahlfs was charged with second-degree murder, death by motor vehicle, DWI, and driving after consuming alcohol younger than 21.

Newly returned search warrants for Rahlfs' iPad show numerous photos and videos of Twisted Tea boxes with cans, a Twisted Tea Party pouch, other liquor and a trash bag with empty Twisted Tea cans.

According to search warrants, a multitude of alcoholic beverages was seized from Rahlfs' family home in Holly Springs, including several empty bottles of tequila, whiskey and vodka, beer cans and 12- and 18-packs of Twisted Tea cans.

Another warrant for video from Rahlfs' phone shows a Twisted Tea can in the car's center cup holder approximately eight to 10 minutes before the crash. A crushed Twisted Tea can was also found at the crash site, and seven more cans were located near the woodline, the warrant reads. Only a few cans were open; the others were punctured but empty.

Records show Rahlfs' older brother was cited for buying him alcohol in March. But, in reference to this case, Holly Springs Chief Paul Liquorie said, "We don't believe his brother provided the alcohol in this instance. We don't anticipate further charges for the brother. We're still in discussions with both the District Attorney's Office, as well as completing our investigation."

The search warrants also provide more details about the crash. 

In a search warrant requesting access to the teenager's SnapChat account, an officer who spoke with Rahlfs at the crash scene said, "I immediately noticed he had extremely red and glassy eyes."

According to the warrant, Rahlfs agreed to sobriety testing and denied having consumed any alcohol, marijuana or other drugs, stating he had consumed a non-alcoholic energy drink before the crash. Despite his claims, Rahlfs was charged with DWI at the crash scene.