SELMA – Funeral services were held this afternoon (Tuesday) for Joseph Wilder Jr. of Wilson’s Mills. Mr. Wilder died from injuries sustained in a tragic head-on collision on US 70 near Buffalo Road in Selma.
Around 5:56pm Sunday, April 20, Wilder was driving his 2021 Nissan passenger car eastbound on US 70, only a few miles from his home, when he was struck by a stolen 2001 Buick traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes. Only seconds earlier, Selma Police had been pursuing the Buick.
When the driver of the stolen car, identified as Gregory Anthony Marshall Jr., age 39, of Raleigh, began fleeing the wrong way on US70 from Buffalo Road, Selma Police terminated the chase. However, within seconds, Marshall, a convicted felon, reportedly slammed head-on into Mr. Wilder’s car, sending the Nissan into a guardrail, where it overturned on the grassy shoulder facing the opposite direction.
Wilder was trapped in the wreckage. He was extricated by Selma Fire and rushed by Johnston County EMS to WakeMed in Raleigh. He died from his injuries that evening at the hospital.
Marshall, the driver of the Buick, was reportedly armed with a box cutter and tried to escape from the wreckage. He was detained by Selma Police. During the apprehension one officer was injured. The officer was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. Marshall was transported to WakeMed with serious injuries.
A passenger in the Buick, Allyson Gonzalez, age 26, of Charlotte was trapped in the crumpled front passenger seat. She was extricated and transported to WakeMed with serious injuries.
The posted speed limit on US 70 where the crash occurred is 60 miles per hour. Authorities estimated Marshall was traveling at 75 mph and the victim, Mr. Wilder, at 55 mph when the cars struck head-on.
At the time of the crash, Gregory Anthony Marshall Jr. was reportedly wanted for absconding from probation. He was sentenced to probation in August 2024 in Wake County after being convicted on 2022 charges of speeding to elude arrest, larceny, assault on an officer, and larceny of a motor vehicle, according to online court records.
Gregory Marshall Jr. has a lengthy criminal history dating back to 2004. His convictions include assault, hit and run, resisting an officer, driving on a revoked license, possession of a controlled substance, sell/deliver a controlled substance, breaking and entering, larceny, carrying a concealed weapon, and forgery. Marshall is expected to face a long list of criminal and traffic charges once he is released from the hospital.
Deacon Wilder was remembered at his funeral today at First Missionary Baptist Church in Wilson’s Mills as a beloved and respected Christian and church Deacon, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and son. He was 74 years-old.
When are these want to be Bruce Willis law enforcement officers going to stop chasing our citizens for these miner traffic infractions like they are some kind of animals? We need some progressive leadership in this county to move us into the twenty first century and stop these needless death’s caused by over reacting officers that want to be apart of a TV car chase! I am just thank full it wasn’t a confused immigrant that was looking for a better life or he would had been in chains and on a plane to a El Salvador prison with no due process like our other citizen did the Maryland man! This poor man in this accident should still be alive and if we had progressive policies to not chase in high density areas this would had never happened!
You’re off your meds again.
Try reading the article… the chase had been called off as soon as the perp went the wrong way on the road. The issue is the perp not the police who were trying to protect the community.
This gentleman should absolutely still be alive but he is now dancing in heaven with Jesus. He won the race! Prayers go out to the family.
@Biden Won, So you spew all your ridiculous malarkey out your lips until something like this happens to you or someone YOU love (assuming you have the ability to love). According to your words, it sounds as if you’re ok with society just acting like animals???? I want to feel aggravated with your nonsense, however, somehow I find solace in knowing you, Sir or Madam, are still alive and not dead like the Pastor in this horrendous entanglement of metal. Open your eyes NOW and see what’s happening around you, or one of these heartless criminals like the one who killed this innocent man could possibly put you in the same situation.
A 20 year career criminal needs no mercy.
Prayers for the family of Joseph Wilder Jr. I hope this man that caused him to be deceased gets the death penalty. I do mean that. Gregory Marshall Jr. is an animal, has been an animal and will always be an animal!
BIDEN WON?? You obviously are a liability and do not read properly. This career criminal had assaulted a police officer and drove against traffic two days in a row. Why are you supporting a criminal? How can you justify your position?
prayers for Mr Wilder’s family, friends and his church.
“Minor,” not “miner.”