Early Sunday morning, a Buncombe County wreck took the life of a Hendersonville teen. According to WLOS ABC News Channel 13, the wreck happened on Ben Lippen Road, also known as Dryman Mountain Road, at about 2:00 a.m. Initial reports indicate that the vehicle was going about 60 miles per hour in a 35-mile-per hour zone prior to the crash. Very few details of this fatal wreck have been released, but we do know that the rear passenger, 18-year-old Azlyan Dalbo of Hendersonville, died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.
Teen Killed in Buncombe County Crash
The driver, 20-year-old Ryan Owen of Mills River, lost control of his car and hit a tree. The vehicle reportedly overturned and then went down an embankment below the roadway. The driver has been charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, driving after consuming alcohol and being under 21, reckless driving, driving left of center and consumption of alcohol by a person less than 21 years old. An additional 18-year-old passenger is also facing underage drinking charges. There has been no word on whether or not the other passenger was also injured in the crash.
U.S. Drunk Driving Crash Statistics
In 2014, 9,967 people were killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers.
In 2015, 10,265 people were killed in crashes involving alcohol-impaired drivers.
More than 1.1 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics in 2014.
Each year, there are approximately 121 million self-reported episodes of alcohol-impaired driving by U.S. adults.
19 percent of traffic deaths in child passengers ages 14 and younger involved alcohol-impaired drivers in 2014.
Drunk Driving Accidents in Asheville
In 2015, 30 percent of crash fatalities in the State of North Carolina happened in wrecks involving alcohol-impaired drivers. Drunk driving is still a statewide and nationwide epidemic. Even with increased enforcement efforts and public safety campaigns, some people continue to get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash involving an alcohol impaired driver, it’s essential to get in touch with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible about your case.
The team at Davis Law Group, P.A. sends their deepest condolences to Azlyan Dalbo’s family members and friends.