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Background: News footage of the scene in Holly Springs, N.C., where Max Dunham was killed on Oct. 26 (WTVD). Inset (left): Max Dunham (Dignity Memorial). Inset (right): Ashton Rahlfs (Wake County Sheriff’s Office).
In a tragic incident in North Carolina, a teenager stands accused of murder following a deadly drunk driving accident that claimed the life of a 14-year-old boy. Authorities allege that multiple cans of Twisted Tea were discovered in the suspect’s vehicle.
Ashton Rahlfs, who was 16 at the time, is accused of driving under the influence when his Honda Passport collided with another vehicle, resulting in the death of young Max Dunham on October 26, 2025. The crash also left 19-year-old Brandon Russell seriously injured after Rahlfs reportedly crashed into his Honda Civic. Rahlfs faces charges including second-degree murder, felony death by vehicle, felony serious injury by vehicle, and driving while impaired, among others.
According to search warrants obtained by WRAL, an NBC affiliate, investigators found eight Twisted Tea cans—an alcoholic beverage—near the crash site. During the inquiry, video footage purportedly showed an open can in Rahlfs’ car just minutes before the collision occurred.
As previously reported by Law&Crime, Rahlfs was said to be driving “carelessly and recklessly” through a neighborhood in Holly Springs, North Carolina, despite only possessing a learner’s permit. The search warrants also revealed that additional alcoholic beverages were discovered at Rahlfs’ home, including empty bottles of tequila, whiskey, and vodka, as well as two 18-packs of Twisted Tea, some containing empty cans. Authorities also reportedly found marijuana products and a bong.
WRAL further reported that Rahlfs’ older brother had a prior citation for providing alcohol to the teenager. Holly Springs Police Chief Paul Liquorie informed the station that while the older brother is not currently under investigation for the October 26 incident, the investigation remains active.
According to the warrants, eight cans of Twisted Tea were found in and near the Holly Springs crash site following the fatal incident. A video from Rahlfs’ phone that was taken 10 to 15 minutes before the crash allegedly showed an open can of Twisted Tea in his car’s cup holder. Near the site, police found a crushed can of the same beverage, plus seven more cans near the site. Police said some of the cans were open while others were punctured but empty.
Police said when they spoke to Rahlfs after the crash, they “immediately noticed he had extremely red and glassy eyes.” Despite police saying that they smelled alcohol on his breath, the teenager denied drinking or taking drugs before getting in the car, claiming that he only had a non-alcoholic energy drink. Rahlfs’ blood alcohol content was reportedly measured at 0.11.
Rahlfs’ next court date has not been made public.