N. Henderson High senior killed, others injured in head-on accident: NC Highway Patrol

FLETCHER — A North Henderson High School senior was killed on Dec. 8 after the truck she was a passenger in was hit head-on by another truck on Terry Gap Road, according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

Madison Crawford, 17, was a middle passenger in the Ford Ranger struck by a Dodge Dakota driven by Michael Travalini, 56, who was transported to Pardee UNC Health Care and then later to Mission Hospital. Crawford was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Trooper Rohn Silvers of the Highway Patrol.

Silvers said troopers were dispatched to the head-on collision at approximately 4:17 p.m. Dec. 8.

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"A Dodge Dakota traveling east on Terry Gap Road traveled left of center and struck a Ford Ranger head-on that was traveling west on Terry Gap Road," Silvers said. "There were three occupants in the Ford Ranger which was a regular cab pickup. The (Ranger) driver, Robert Lunsford, 18, and the right passenger, Kimisa Buchanan, 17, were both transported to Mission Hospital with critical injuries."

The school was in a state of shock and mourning on the morning of Dec. 9.

"She was a very nice kid," longtime North Henderson Social Studies teacher and volleyball coach Sue Moon said. "Madison was always kind in our interactions. She always had a smile on her face. She was always willing to help others. Her friends mentioned how she was working to find a purpose through some tough times."

Moon said Henderson County Public Schools staff members and staff members from other schools have been on campus to help North's students and staff.

"The outpouring of support from our community has been amazing," she said.

Henderson County Public Schools released a statement in the early afternoon of Dec. 9.

"Our hearts are heavy as our district mourns the loss of Madison Crawford, a 12th grade student at North Henderson High School. We are deeply saddened by the passing of this young woman as a result of a head-on collision that occurred Thursday afternoon. Kimisa Buchanan, an 11th grade student at North Henderson, and Robert 'Xander' Lunsford, a 2022 graduate of North Henderson, were also in the vehicle at the time of the accident. Both were transported to Mission Hospital, where they remain at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with Madison’s family and the families of all who were involved in this tragic event," the statement said.

HCPS said school psychologists, school social workers, and school counselors with the district’s Crisis Team are available at the schools affected by this loss to talk with students and staff and to provide support during this difficult time.

"These resources will remain available to students and staff as our HCPS Family continues to navigate this difficult time," the statement said.

Silvers said the accident is under investigation and charges are pending.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: North Henderson High teen killed in head-on collision in Fletcher