Driver Charged in Head-On Collision that Killed N.C. Sheriff's Deputy

A Winston-Salem man is now charged with second-degree murder following a head-on crash that killed a deputy with the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, authorities said.

Bryan Castillo, 19, of Hawkcrest Lane, was driving when his pickup struck head-on a vehicle driven by Deputy Kaleb Mitchell, 24, on U.S. 311 in northern Forsyth County on Saturday, said Master Trooper Whit Efird, a spokesman for the N.C. State Highway Patrol.

Efird, Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. and District Attorney Jim O'Neill spoke about Mitchell's death and the charges against Castillo at a news conference on Monday at the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office.

The crash happened shortly after 6 a.m. Saturday. Castillo's vehicle was traveling at 100 mph when it struck Mitchell's vehicle, Efird said.

Mitchell's vehicle was traveling south on the highway while Castillo's vehicle was traveling north on the road, Efird said.

Mitchell was taken to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, where he died of his injuries, Efird said.

Castillo was initially charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle, reckless driving, speeding and driving left of the center, according to an arrest warrant.

The misdemeanor death by vehicle charge against Castillo was upgraded to second-degree murder due to several factors, O'Neill said.

The decision to upgrade

"The decision to upgrade the charges was based upon a review of the available evidence, the applicable case law, and a review of the defendant's past history," O'Neill said.

Castillo is accused of causing Mitchell's death by driving his vehicle at 100 mph on U.S. 311, where the speed limit is 55 mph, the warrant said.

Castillo is also accused of driving a vehicle carelessly, disregarding the safety of others, speeding by driving 100 mph in a 55-mph zone, and failing to drive on the highway's right lane, the warrant said.

Castillo is still charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle, along with the murder charge, O'Neill said.

A Forsyth County magistrate determined that there was probable cause to charge Castillo with second-degree murder, O'Neill said.

"We mourn with Deputy Mitchell and his family," O'Neill said. "We mourn with them."

Castillo is being held in the Forsyth County Jail with no bond allowed, O'Neill said. Castillo is scheduled to appear in Forsyth District Court on Tuesday.

Sheriff Bobby Kimbrough Jr. asked people to pray for Mitchell and his family.

Mitchell was married. He leaves behind a wife and a 2-year-old son, the sheriff said. His wife is five months pregnant with their second child, Kimbrough said.

Mitchell is also survived by his parents, two brothers and a sister.

One of Mitchell's brothers is also a Forsyth County sheriff's deputy, Kimbrough said.

"Our hearts are heavy," the sheriff said.

Mitchell got his start in King

Mitchell started his law enforcement career with the King Police Department in 2022, said Ian Tedder, the assistant King police chief. He said Mitchell began working with the Forsyth County Sheriff's office in the spring of 2025.

"Kaleb was an exceptional officer who served with integrity and the desire to serve others," Tedder said. "He was very well respected among his fellow officers."

Gov. Josh Stein issued a statement Saturday about Mitchell.

"This morning, Forsyth County Deputy Kaleb Mitchell died in a fatal crash while serving and protecting his community," Stein said. "Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to keep us safe."

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