HIDDENITE, N.C. — A Saturday morning in Alexander County turned to sorrow on August 30, 2025, when a devastating head-on crash claimed the life of 17-year-old Jacob Elijah Huffman. The accident, which unfolded around 10:50 a.m. on Sharpe Mill Road near Johnson Farm Road, has left the tight-knit community of Hiddenite grappling with grief.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Jacob, a local teenager, was behind the wheel of a 1991 Chevrolet S-10 when his vehicle veered across the centerline. In a heartbreaking instant, it collided with a 2000 Ford Ranger driven by 56-year-old Kimberly Smith Bebber of Taylorsville. Jacob, unrestrained by a seatbelt, succumbed to his injuries at the scene, a loss that has deeply shaken those who knew him.
Kimberly, the driver of the Ford Ranger, sustained injuries that, while serious, were not life-threatening. She was promptly transported to a nearby hospital, where she is receiving treatment and support. Her resilience in the face of such a harrowing incident offers a glimmer of hope amid the tragedy.
Investigators have meticulously pieced together the moments leading to the crash, concluding that neither speed nor impairment contributed to the collision. The decision has been made not to file charges, as the incident appears to be a heartbreaking accident rather than a reckless act. Sharpe Mill Road, a vital artery in the community, was closed for approximately two hours as troopers conducted their investigation, a somber pause in the rhythm of daily life.
The loss of Jacob, a young soul with dreams yet to be realized, has cast a heavy shadow over Hiddenite. Authorities have extended their deepest condolences to his family, who now face an unimaginable void. As the community mourns, they hold tight to memories of a life taken too soon, finding solace in shared grief and the hope for healing in the days ahead.