Two Teens Dead, 2 Others Hospitalized Following I-40 Crash in Asheville

Asheville, N.C. – Two teenagers are dead following a late-night crash on I-40 in Asheville Saturday, April 6, officials said Sunday.

The crash involved at least two students – juniors – from Charlotte Catholic High School, according to a post made Sunday afternoon on Charlotte Catholic’s Facebook page.

Tragic Incident on I-40

At approximately 11:31 p.m. Saturday, N.C. State Highway Patrol responded to a fatal crash on the off-ramp of Exit 53B on I-40 in Buncombe County.

A 2015 Volvo passenger car, carrying six teens, was traveling east on I-40 when the driver tried to take the Exit 53B off-ramp. The vehicle was traveling too fast to safely negotiate the off-ramp, and as a result, it lost control, ran off the left side of the roadway, and struck a tree.

Initial investigation indicates that speed was a significant factor in the crash.

Victims Identified

Tragically, two rear passengers lost their lives in the crash. They were identified as Robert Fox, age 19, of Wilmette, Illinois, and Sophia Gordon, age 16, of Charlotte, N.C., a student at Myers Park High School.

Two other rear passengers, Isabella Tarantelli, age 18, and a 17-year-old minor, both from Charlotte, were transported to Mission Hospital in critical condition.

The driver of the vehicle, William Tyson Neumann, 18, of Augusta, Georgia, and the front-seat passenger, 18-year-old Hunter Sanford, of Pineville, N.C., sustained minor injuries and were taken to a local hospital.

Investigation Continues

No charges have been filed at this time as investigations are ongoing. Authorities are working to determine all the factors that led to this devastating crash.

We express our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims during this difficult time.

Conclusion

This is a developing story. As more information becomes available, please check back for updates.

Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic incident on I-40 in Asheville.