Teresa Annette Davis Killed in Buncombe County Pedestrian...
The 45-year-old woman was found dead on Old Mars Hill Highway following a suspected hit-and-run collision
Teresa Annette Davis, 45, was killed in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident on Old Mars Hill Highway near the Madison County line in Buncombe County on July 10, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
A passerby discovered the woman's body just before 7 a.m. and contacted emergency dispatchers. The vehicle involved fled the scene before authorities arrived, leaving investigators to search for the driver.
A preliminary autopsy confirmed the victim died from injuries after being struck by a vehicle. The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office initially responded to the scene before turning the investigation over to state troopers.
Detectives believe the woman had been in the area for several weeks prior to the collision. Authorities are asking anyone who witnessed a serious disagreement or significant encounter involving her to contact investigators.
The road remained open as deputies and troopers processed the scene.
No suspect or vehicle description has been released.
How common are fatal pedestrian accidents in Buncombe County?
Pedestrian safety remains a critical issue across the state, with North Carolina Department of Transportation data showing a 12% increase in pedestrian death to 281 deaths in 2024.
In hit-and-run accidents such as this, crash reconstruction investigators often rely on debris left at the scene, such as paint chips or broken headlight glass, to identify the fleeing vehicle.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Unidentified motorists create investigative complexity because police cannot issue immediate warrants or search licenses without basic vehicle descriptions and driver details. Weeks may pass before meaningful leads emerge, creating severe hardship for injured survivors and grieving relatives waiting for accountability."
"Attorneys maintain investigative momentum, coordinate with law enforcement, and pursue independent leads through surveillance systems, witness networks, and vehicle databases," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
What factors contribute to hit-and-run collisions on Old Mars Hill Highway?
Rural corridors like Old Mars Hill Highway often lack adequate lighting and dedicated pedestrian infrastructure, increasing the risk of severe collisions after dark. When drivers flee the scene of a fatal collision, law enforcement agencies typically use surveillance footage from nearby businesses, automated license plate readers, and community tips to locate the suspect vehicle.
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.
"Roadway conditions, including weather, visibility, surface quality, and maintenance status, influence how investigators assess a crash's mechanics and contributing causes. An attorney reviews documentation of road conditions, helping families understand environmental factors in reconstructing what happened," noted Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal.