Driver Charged After Teen Killed in Asheboro Crash Easter Sunday

ASHEBORO —A multi-vehicle crash on U.S. 64 in Asheboro on Sunday afternoon left one teen dead, several others injured, and a driver facing felony charges, according to the Asheboro Police Department.

At around 2:30 p.m. on April 20, emergency crews and Asheboro police officers responded to a crash at the intersection of East Dixie Drive and Dublin Road. The crash involved four vehicles and temporarily shut down a section of U.S. 64 (Dixie Drive). 

Investigators with the Asheboro Police Department responded to collect evidence at the scene and police issued a statement later that evening, announcing that a 16-year-old passenger was pronounced dead at the scene and another passenger was airlifted to a regional medical facility.

In a press release Monday, police said the airlifted passenger was listed in stable condition as of Monday morning. The driver and two passengers in the third vehicle were treated at a local hospital for minor injuries. The driver of the fourth vehicle was not injured.

Family members identified the teen killed in the crash as Michael Bautista-Chahuiz. In an online fundraiser, relatives described Michael as a beloved son, brother and grandson who "loved his sisters dearly." 

An adult passenger, identified by the family as Priscilla Bautista-Chahuiz, remains hospitalized in intensive care awaiting spinal surgery. 

A cousin of the victims organized a GoFundMe to assist the Bautista-Chahuiz family with medical and funeral expenses. The fundraiser says donations will help the family "find some stability and hope" during a difficult time. The family has asked for privacy during their time of grief.

CHARGES

Investigators said 43-year-old Suzanne Emily-Marie Lewis of Asheboro was traveling westbound on East Dixie Drive when her vehicle struck another vehicle that was stopped at a red light. The impact pushed the stopped vehicle into a third vehicle, causing it to strike a fourth vehicle. 

Lewis was arrested at the scene and treated at a local hospital before being charged with felony death by motor vehicle, involuntary manslaughter, driving with a revoked license, expired registration and failure to reduce speed.

Court records show that in March 2024, Lewis was cited by Greensboro police for speeding 89 mph in a 70 mph zone. She later pleaded responsible to a reduced charge of improper equipment and was ordered to pay $291 in fines and court costs. 

Records indicate Lewis failed to comply with the court-ordered payments, leading to the revocation of her driver’s license in January 2025. 

In September 2024, Lewis was cited by Asheboro police for failure to yield after a crash on East Dixie Drive at Kenmore Street. That case remains pending.

The Asheboro Police Department said the investigation into Sunday’s crash remains ongoing.