Fatal Crash Involving 3 Vehicles Shuts Down I-40 West in Buncombe County

Fatal Crash Involving 3 Vehicles Shuts Down I-40 West in Buncombe County

A severe crash on I-40 West near Exit 44 in Buncombe County Sunday afternoon, March 17, backed up traffic for hours and many miles.

Three vehicles were involved in a fatal crash on I-40 West in Buncombe County, resulting in significant congestion and delays for motorists in the area. The incident occurred near Exit 44, causing traffic to be backed up for miles.

According to Sgt. Robert Baker of the N.C. State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 12:41 p.m. on Sunday when a white Hyundai Santa Fe, driven by William Aaron Burke, aged 43, was traveling at a high rate of speed and rear-ended a small white Subaru SUV in the right-hand lane. Both vehicles lost control after the initial impact, with the Subaru then colliding with a tractor-trailer on the road. The Hyundai and Subaru continued to skid out of control before coming to a stop on the right shoulder.

Fortunately, there were no additional injuries reported among the occupants of the Subaru or the tractor-trailer involved in the crash. The driver of the tractor-trailer managed to safely pull off to the side of the road to avoid further collisions.

Response and Traffic Impact:

The North Carolina Department of Transportation issued an alert at 12:56 p.m. on Sunday, indicating that I-40 West was closed at Exit 44 (US-19) due to the crash. Traffic was backed up for several miles as a result of the closure. Although the road reopened around 4 p.m., congestion remained a significant issue for motorists in the area.

Sgt. Baker commended the efforts of the Enka Fire Department, Buncombe County EMS, and the Department of Transportation for their swift response and assistance in managing the aftermath of the crash. The Asheville Police Department also played a crucial role in controlling traffic at Exit 44 to ensure the safety of all individuals in the area.

Investigation and Reconstruction:

The exact circumstances surrounding the collision, including the point of impact between the Hyundai and the Subaru, are still under investigation by authorities. Sgt. Baker described the scene as having a substantial debris field, emphasizing the severity of the crash and its impact on the vehicles involved.

As the investigation continues, authorities are working to determine the factors that led to the fatal crash on I-40 West in Buncombe County and to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.

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