Donny Ruff indicted after fatal Lake Lure wreck

LAKE LURE — A Sunny View man was recently charged with aggravated felony death by vehicle after a head-on crash that took the life of a Lake Lure man in March.

Donny Tray Ruff, 2662 Grassy Knob Road, was charged last week for allegedly striking Joseph McDaniel Sr., 87, of Lake Lure. 

The crash occurred on March 21, with McDaniel dying at the scene and Ruff transported to Spartanburg Regional Medical Center with serious injuries.  Ruff was later released.

Ruff was driving a 1998 Dodge truck, and McDaniel was driving a 1985 truck.

The North Carolina Highway Patrol reported the head-on collision occurred on U.S. 64/74 towards Rutherfordton.

“Vehicle 1 was traveling west on U.S. 64,” said Trooper J.K. Henderson. “Vehicle 2 was traveling eat on U.S. 63. Vehicle 1 crossed the center line and struck vehicle 2 head on.”

Speed was not noted as a factor, as the speed limit was 55 mph and troopers estimated both vehicles were traveling 55 mph.

McDaniel was a member of Bill’s Creek Baptist Church and a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean War. He was survived by two sons and a grandson.