1 Killed, 4 Injured in Asheville Car Accident
A crash on I-26 in Asheville on Thursday afternoon killed one person, injured four others and closed the eastbound lanes for about two hours.
Candice BondOne person was killed and four others were injured in a car crash on I-26 in Asheville on October 22, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. The crash was reported around 2:30 p.m.
Crash Near Exit 37 on I-26 in Asheville
The Highway Patrol said a Tesla driven by Bradley Vance Lanier, 54, of Taylors, South Carolina, and a Honda SUV collided head-on near Exit 37. The Tesla then hit a Honda passenger car near mile marker 36.5. The passenger in that car has been identified as Jimmy Lee Brooks, of Leicester. Brooks was taken to Mission Hospital in Asheville and died there from his injuries. The car's driver and another passenger were also taken to Mission Hospital with serious injuries, and their conditions were not immediately available. The Honda SUV driver had minor injuries, was hospitalized and was later released. Lanier also had minor injuries and was treated at a hospital before being released.
What Comes Next After the I-26 Crash
Lanier was arrested on October 22 and charged with felony death by vehicle, felony serious injury by vehicle, driving while impaired and reckless driving, according to Buncombe County jail records. He was held at the Buncombe County Detention Center, and a court appearance was scheduled for Friday, October 23. Eastbound I-26 was closed for about two hours, which led to miles of traffic backups.
Blood test results from a state lab can take weeks. That is why charges in these cases sometimes come well after the crash.
From an earlier interview. General commentary, not about this crash, and not legal advice.Lost someone in a crash like this?
Here is what families in North Carolina usually need, in the order it comes up.
Death certificates. The funeral home or the family can order them, and banks and insurers each usually want a copy.
Crash report. The crash report is usually ready a few weeks after the crash, and you can still get it later.
Funeral costs. Every state has a victim fund that pays funeral costs after some crashes, and the fund decides who qualifies.
Survivor payments. If the person who died had worked, their spouse or children may get monthly Social Security payments. Applying early matters.
Insurance offer. You can turn down the insurer's first offer and ask for more.
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