Asheville, N.C. — The Asheville Police Department is investigating after a pedestrian died following a crash with an SUV on a north Asheville side street, a case the department said marks the sixth pedestrian fatality in the city this year.
Officers were called to the 440 block of Old Stone Gate Place around 10:03 a.m. on Oct. 8. A preliminary investigation found that a 2019 Volvo XC90 SUV traveling eastbound struck 79-year-old Drew Jay Cherner, who was walking in the roadway in the same direction.
Cherner was taken to Mission Hospital for treatment and later died from his injuries. The driver stayed at the scene and was cited for failure to reduce speed, police said. No other charges have been announced while the review continues.
The Asheville Police Department said the investigation remains open. Once it is finished, officers plan to consult with the Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office about any further action beyond the traffic citation already issued.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Asheville Police Department at 828-252-1110. Tips can also be sent anonymously through the TIP2APD smartphone app or by texting TIP2APD to 847411.
Fatal crash probes in Asheville are handled by traffic investigators who examine speed, visibility and roadway use when a pedestrian is struck. Police said pedestrian deaths have been a recurring concern on city streets this year, and this case is being reviewed for any additional traffic or criminal findings.
Neighbors on quieter residential blocks often see less through traffic than main corridors, but investigators treat every fatal pedestrian crash the same way: document the scene, interview witnesses and weigh whether the facts support charges after the medical outcome is known.
