Max Dunham Obituary, Death News – The Holly Springs community is grieving the loss of 14-year-old Max Dunham, who passed away following a traffic incident early Sunday morning while riding his bicycle. According to the Holly Springs Police Department, the incident occurred around 1:40 a.m. Sunday on Avent Ferry Road near Holly Meadow Drive. Emergency responders arrived to find that two vehicles — a 2008 Honda Civic and a 2021 Honda Passport — had been involved in a collision that also included a bicyclist.
Authorities determined that the bicyclist, later identified as Max Dunham, was struck during the course of the crash. The driver of the Honda Civic and a passenger in the Honda Passport were both taken to a nearby hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Tragically, Dunham was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Police said the collision happened as the bicyclist was traveling along Avent Ferry Road when one of the cars made contact with him, leading to a chain reaction that caused the two vehicles to collide head-on.
In a letter sent to families on Monday morning, the Wake County Public School System identified the victim as a ninth-grade student at Holly Springs High School. Principal Gary Duvall shared a heartfelt message expressing sympathy and support for the student’s family, classmates, and teachers.
“It is with great sadness that I write this message to let you know that one of our students, ninth-grader Max Dunham, passed away on Sunday,” Duvall wrote. “Our condolences, thoughts, and prayers go out to his family and friends.”
Authorities later identified the driver of the Honda Passport as 16-year-old Ashton Henry Rahlfs, who was taken into custody and charged with driving while impaired. According to court documents, his recorded blood alcohol content was 0.11, which exceeds the legal limit of 0.08% in North Carolina.
Rahlfs is also facing charges for driving after consuming alcohol while under the age of 21 and violating level 2 driving restrictions, which prohibit unsupervised driving after 9 p.m. and restrict carrying passengers under 21. He was later released from the Wake County Justice Center to a family member under a written promise to appear in court in November.
In light of the tragic event, Holly Springs High School has made grief and counseling services available to students and staff affected by the loss. Principal Duvall encouraged parents and guardians to be observant of any significant emotional changes in their children and to seek help from school counselors or mental health professionals when needed.
The school is partnering with Transitions GriefCare, a community organization offering free support to help young people process grief and emotional challenges following a loss. In addition, Alliance Health is providing access to further counseling and therapeutic services.
Alliance Health also operates a 24-hour crisis line, available seven days a week at 1-877-233-4617, to assist individuals in need of immediate support.
“We will continue to have staff available at the school to assist our students in coping with this loss,” Duvall said. “Please do not hesitate to reach out if you or your child need support as we navigate this challenging time together.”
The Holly Springs Police Department continues to investigate the incident to determine all contributing factors. Authorities are reviewing evidence, including vehicle movement and roadway conditions, to understand the sequence of events that led to the collision.
Meanwhile, residents of the Holly Springs area have expressed deep sorrow and solidarity with the Dunham family. The tragedy has sparked discussions among parents, educators, and local leaders about road safety, responsible driving, and community support for young people.
The incident has left a lasting impact on the Holly Springs High School community, where students and staff are remembering Max as a kind and bright young individual whose presence will be deeply missed.
