21-year-old man jailed on $2M bail for crash that killed twin sisters from Raleigh

Aaron Sánchez-Guerra
·2 min read

A 21-year-old Greenville man was charged Wednesday with felony death by vehicle for a head-on collision that killed twin sisters and injured another person in Raleigh this month.

Griffin Alexander Curtis is being held on $2 million bail at the Wake County Detention Center, the Wake County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.

The crash occurred about 8:30 p.m. Jan. 9, when Curtis crossed into the oncoming lane on Avent Ferry Road and struck another vehicle heading northeast, according to the Raleigh Police Department.

Kayla and Morgan Kushner, 25-year-old twin sisters who were passengers in the vehicle, died from their injuries. Brennan Kallen, 27, the driver, was hospitalized with serious injuries, said Raleigh police spokesperson Laura Hourigan.

Curtis also is charged with felony serious injury by vehicle and driving while impaired. He was indicted by a grand jury, Wake County records show.

Raleigh police did not release additional details on the crash or Kallen’s condition.

Kayla Kushner worked as a digital marketing consultant and photographer for local businesses and clients, according to an obituary published in The News & Observer. Morgan Kushner worked in social media, communications, and digital marketing, the obituary said. The sisters were planning to start a media consulting firm.

“Morgan will be remembered for her gentle soul and loving heart. She moved through life with a graceful presence, leaving beauty and peace in her wake,” the obituary said. “She saw the good in everyone she met and always wanted to make others happy. Calm and quiet, she was an excellent listener with a huge heart.”

The Kushner sisters graduated from Meredith College in 2019.

“A growing activist, Kayla was never afraid to fight for the causes or people she held dear. As individuals, Morgan and Kayla could each move mountains, but, together, they were a special force that created a more beautiful, kind world for everyone they knew and every heart they touched.”