SALISBURY, N.C. — The Salisbury community woke up Saturday to heartbreaking news as 28-year-old Brandon Ulysses Flores died in a devastating crash on Airport Road. The young man, known locally and cherished by family and friends, was killed when his car ran off the road and struck a tree in an area near the Village Creek Way intersection.
Just after 8:30 a.m., state troopers say Flores was driving east toward U.S. Highway 29 in a blue Nissan Sentra when his vehicle suddenly left the roadway. The car plunged into a roadside ditch and then crashed into a tree with enough force to cause fatal injuries. First responders arrived quickly, but Flores was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses and neighbors described a scene of shock and sadness. Town residents stopped to watch as emergency crews worked for hours, closing Airport Road into the afternoon while they combed the site for clues about what led to the fatal collision. No official cause for the crash has been released, and state highway investigators say the probe is ongoing.
For those who knew him, Flores was more than just a name in a police report. At 28, he was described by friends as a kind spirit with a big laugh and an easy way of making people feel at home. The suddenness of his passing has left many in the tight-knit Salisbury community reeling, trying to make sense of a life cut far too short.
“This is a loss that’s impossible to put into words,” one friend said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Brandon lit up every room he walked into. It’s just hard to believe he’s gone.”
Family members have asked for privacy as they begin the difficult process of grieving. A small memorial of flowers and candles has already sprung up near the crash site, a quiet reminder of the young life that once passed there.
Officials continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. In their statement, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol urged anyone with information to come forward, but stressed that, as of midday Saturday, they had no additional details on what might have caused Flores to leave the roadway.
Through the sorrow, the Salisbury community is rallying around the Flores family—sharing stories, offering support, and honoring a young man whose impact will not soon be forgotten.
