Dunn woman jailed in fatal DWI wreck in Cumberland County last year

Lexi Solomon, The Fayetteville Observer
Updated ·2 min read

Editor's note: This is an updated version of the original. In the original the location of the accident was incorrect.

A Harnett County woman allegedly had methamphetamine, fentanyl and a sedative in her system when she crashed into a Veterans Affairs employee’s car last year in Fayetteville, killing the woman, the charging document states.

Rhonda Kay Vann, 50, of the 200 block of Vann Lane in Dunn, is charged with felony death by vehicle, misdemeanor driving while impaired, driving with a revoked license and driving left of center in the Feb. 12, 2022, wreck, according to the warrant. Vann surrendered on the charges March 23.

According to the State Highway Patrol accident report, Malinda Laury Blackmon, 54, of Linden, died after her southbound 2006 Chevrolet Aveo was struck head-on by Vann's northbound 2012 Chevrolet Cruz about 9:50 p.m. on Ramsey Street near Rachael Street. Blackmon was fatally wounded, Vann was knocked unconscious and her passenger sustained minor injuries. All three were transported to the hospital, the report shows.

Both vehicles were traveling at the speed limit of 55 mph, and conditions were clear at the time of the crash, the report states. An Oct. 7 toxicology report from the State Crime Laboratory indicates that Vann had methamphetamine, amphetamine, fentanyl and the sedative bromazolam in her blood.

Malinda Blackmon, shown here in an undated family photo, was killed Feb. 12, 2022, in a head-on collision on Rachel Street in Cumberland County. Rhonda Kay Vann, 50, was arrested March 23, 2023, on a charge of felony death by vehicle in Blackmon's death.
Malinda Blackmon, shown here in an undated family photo, was killed Feb. 12, 2022, in a head-on collision on Rachel Street in Cumberland County. Rhonda Kay Vann, 50, was arrested March 23, 2023, on a charge of felony death by vehicle in Blackmon's death.

According to Blackmon’s obituary, she had been employed at the VA in Fayetteville for eight years, most recently serving as an occupancy supervisor. She is survived locally by her husband and stepchildren.

Ashlin Corey, Blackmon's stepdaughter, said in a Facebook message that Blackmon, who married her father when she was 6 years old, became the mother she "truly needed" and her best friend.

"I never saw her as a stepmom," Corey wrote. "She supported me in every aspect of my life and taught me to work hard for the things I wanted in life and not settle. Malinda was truly my inspiration."

Malinda Blackmon, shown here in an undated family photo, was killed Feb. 12, 2022, in a head-on collision on Rachel Street in Cumberland County. Rhonda Kay Vann, 50, was arrested March 23, 2023, on a charge of felony death by vehicle in Blackmon's death.
Malinda Blackmon, shown here in an undated family photo, was killed Feb. 12, 2022, in a head-on collision on Rachel Street in Cumberland County. Rhonda Kay Vann, 50, was arrested March 23, 2023, on a charge of felony death by vehicle in Blackmon's death.

Blackmon worked two jobs to support her family, Corey said.

"My mom was the most caring, passionate, hard-working person I have ever met," she wrote. "Malinda has touched so many people's lives and we are suffering every day and minute without her, and I pray every single day she gets the justice she deserves because she did not deserve to be taken away selfishly that night in February."

Vann was booked into the Cumberland County jail and released March 24 on $5,000 secured bail.

Public safety reporter Lexi Solomon can be reached at ABSolomon@gannett.com.

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This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Dunn woman charged in February 2022 fatal crash near Fayetteville