A multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 26 eastbound in Asheville, North Carolina, killed at least one person on Thursday afternoon, October 22, and shut the highway for about two hours, according to local reports citing the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and the state Department of Transportation.
Source: WNC Times
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) recorded the incident at about 2:31 p.m. near mile marker 36.3, close to Exit 37 at Long Shoals Road and the Blue Ridge Parkway, 828 News NOW reported. Emergency radio traffic indicated three vehicles were involved, though officials had not confirmed the vehicle count.
Source: 828 News NOW
Closure and detour
NCDOT first closed the eastbound lanes at Exit 37 and later moved the closure point to Exit 33 at Brevard Road. Traffic was detoured via I-26 West to I-40 East and Exit 50 at Hendersonville Road. NCDOT updates said the eastbound closure was cleared at about 4:27 p.m. and traffic was moving again.
WLOS, Asheville's ABC affiliate, reported the crash as fatal, and the Highway Patrol said the crash involved multiple vehicles and resulted in at least one fatality, according to the reports reviewed. Officials had not released the name of the person who died, the exact number of vehicles involved, or the cause of the crash. Troopers said further details would follow once the preliminary investigation is complete.
Crash at ~2:31 p.m. on I-26 East near mile marker 36.3, Asheville; at least one death reported by the Highway Patrol via local outlets; eastbound lanes closed at Exits 37/33 with a signed detour; road reopened ~4:27 p.m. Victim identity, vehicle count and cause not yet released.