3-car wreck on Smokey Park Highway leaves 1 person dead, 2 in critical condition

ASHEVILLE – A three-car accident on Smokey Park Highway and Acton Circle on March 21 left two people in critical condition and one person dead.

A blue GMC Sierra and a red Hyundai Accent were traveling opposite directions on Smokey Park Highway. The two cars collided when the eastbound GMC turned toward Acton Circle. A black Nissan Titan waiting on Acton Circle to turn onto the highway was also involved in the crash. Officers received the call about the accident at 6:13 p.m.

One of the people traveling in the Hyundai died, Asheville Police Department Lt. Tyler Radford told the Citizen Times at the scene. The identity of the deceased will be released after next of kin is notified. Cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner. Two other people involved in the accident are in critical condition and were transported to Mission Hospital.

There were no questions about any driver impairment, Radford said. No one has been charged, and APD is still investigating the incident.

After an accident, officers speak to witnesses, occupants and gather surveillance footage to figure out what exactly happened, Radford said. During fatal wrecks, officers reconstruct the accident at the scene as part of their investigation.

Mitchell Black covers Buncombe County and health care for the Citizen Times. Email him at mblack@citizentimes.com or follow him on Twitter @MitchABlack. Please help support local journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: 3-car wreck on Smokey Park Highway: 1 dead, 2 in critical condition