Saeid Khoshnoud Killed in Swannanoa Pedestrian Accident
71-year-old man struck and killed on U.S. Highway 70 late Monday night
Saeid Mohammad Khoshnoud, 71, was killed in a pedestrian crash on U.S. Highway 70 near an Appalachian Creek Nursery in Swannanoa on June 8, according to the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office.
First responders arrived at the 1916 block of the highway at approximately 11 p.m. and found a man lying in the road with critical injuries. The driver involved in the collision remained at the scene.
Paramedics transported Khoshnoud to Mission Hospital. He later died from his injuries.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol and local deputies are conducting a joint investigation. No charges have been announced.
Authorities have not released further details about the vehicle.
Why do pedestrian accidents happen on U.S. Highway 70?
Investigators will examine the lighting conditions, road design, and vehicle speed along the Swannanoa corridor where Khoshnoud was struck. In pedestrian accidents such as this, traffic safety analysts point to infrastructure and visibility as critical factors.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Poorly lit roadways dramatically increase pedestrian fatality risk, particularly during early morning and evening hours when visibility is most compromised. In serious pedestrian incidents, legal counsel examines lighting infrastructure, maintenance histories, and municipal compliance records alongside driver behavior."
"Surviving families deserve a thorough investigation that identifies every contributing factor, not just the most obvious one," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
What do investigators look for in nighttime collisions?
Because the collision occurred at 11 p.m., authorities will reconstruct the crash mechanics to determine sightlines and reaction times. North Carolina data indicates that pedestrian death are heavily concentrated in dark, unlit areas outside of marked intersections.
North Carolina wrongful death statute
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-18-2, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. North Carolina applies contributory negligence. The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of services and companionship, funeral expenses, and the estate's losses.
"Surviving families face enormous hardship in the wake of a fatal crash, and protecting their rights from the outset is critical. A wrongful death attorney follows the official investigation closely and fights to preserve every family member's legal rights and best interests," noted Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal.