Head-on collisions can be especially dangerous because the contact is direct and the two vehicles usually expend all of their kinetic energy on each other. If the angle of impact were greater than zero degrees, some of that energy would be transferred to another vehicle or obstacle. The effects of a direct head-on collision were tragically illustrated in a head-on crash that occurred near Ashville.
The incident
According to news reports, just after 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 25, a 2005 Ford was heading east on Highway 70 when it crossed the center line and smashed into a 2018 Chevrolet SUV that was traveling west. The driver of the Ford was alone in his vehicle, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Chevrolet SUV was carrying six people, including a 10-year-old boy in the back seat. Witnesses told police that the Ford crossed the centerline at least three times before the collision.
Police said they would check to see if the driver of the Ford was impaired.
One death and other injuries
The 10-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the scene. An adult passenger and a 4-year-old boy in the SUV suffered severe injuries, and they were taken to Mission Hospital in Asheville. Three juveniles who were also passengers in the Chevrolet were treated for non-life-threatening injuries at Mission Hospital. The severity of the injuries suffered by the other victims will not be known until they are discharged from the hospital after treatment of their injuries.
Legal action
After the sudden and tragic loss of a loved one, many people may not want to think about taking legal action, but a wrongful death action can serve the cause of justice in at least two important ways. First, it can help grieving family members recover the compensation they need to go forward after a tragic loss. Secondly, it can hold negligent parties accountable after their carelessness has led to the loss of a human life.