Last week, there was a fatal crash involving a state trooper in Haywood County. According to WLOS ABC News Channel 13, the collision happened on U.S. 23/74, the Smoky Mountain Expressway. The trooper was reportedly headed westbound with lights and sirens on when an eastbound van made a U-turn in front of him. The crash caused the van to flip over, killing both occupants inside. The driver and passenger in the van, 84-year-old Robert Nelson and 82-year-old Esther Nelson from Florida, were pronounced dead on the scene. The state trooper, Hunter Hooper, was airlifted to Mission Hospital for treatment of injuries.
Deadly Haywood County Crash
Very few details have been released about this deadly Haywood County crash. Residents in the area said that the roadway can be challenging and confusing, especially for out-of-town visitors and drivers who make U-turns on the busy road. At this time, the cause of this crash is still under investigation. There has been no word on the trooper’s current condition, but thankfully, his injuries were initially described as non-life-threatening. Crash reconstruction specialists and authorities are still trying to determine the speeds involved and why the van was making a U-turn, in addition to other investigative details.
U.S. Fatal Car Crash Statistics
In 2014, 32,744 people were killed in crashes across the U.S.
35,092 people were killed in U.S. car crashes in 2015.
An additional 2,443,000 people were injured in crashes in 2015.
Speeding was a factor in over a quarter (27 percent) of all fatal crashes in 2015.
In 2015, there were 4,067 fatalities in crashes involving large trucks.
Asheville Car Accidents
Asheville car accidents can leave victims in the hospital, out of work or worse. After any car accident that causes a serious injury, it’s a good idea to speak with a personal injury lawyer about your claim. The team at Davis Law Group, P.A. sends their deepest condolences to Esther and Robert Nelson’s family members and friends, and also wishes Hunter Hooper a swift and full recovery from his injuries. If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a car accident due to somebody else’s dangerous or negligent behavior behind the wheel, contact our office at 828-279-7799 for a free case consultation today.