Asheville, October 10, 2025
News Summary
In response to a troubling rise in traffic fatalities, law enforcement agencies across North Carolina, including the Asheville Police Department, are ramping up patrols throughout October. Historically linked to an increase in deadly crashes, this month has seen 156 lives lost in motor vehicle accidents statewide. The North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program has initiated ‘Operation Crash Reduction’ to combat unsafe driving behaviors like speeding. In addition, the city is also addressing water quality concerns at local treatment plants following Hurricane Helene.
Asheville – Law enforcement agencies in North Carolina, including the Asheville Police Department, are increasing patrols during October in response to rising traffic fatalities. Historically, October has been linked to a high number of deadly crashes on North Carolina roadways compared to other months. Mark Ezzell, director of the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program (NCGHSP), noted that October and November are particularly dangerous months for driving in North Carolina. In October 2024, 156 individuals lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes in the state.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration revealed that speeding was a contributing factor in 29% of the 40,901 motor vehicle crash fatalities nationwide in 2023. To combat this alarming trend, the NCGHSP is promoting “Operation Crash Reduction,” a statewide campaign aimed at preventing crashes caused by speeding, distracted driving, and other unsafe behaviors. This campaign began on October 6 and runs through October 12.
The Asheville Police Department has reported that most crashes occur at intersections. From January to September of 2024, there were 10 crashes reported in the New Leicester Highway and Ascension Drive area alone. In a separate incident this month, a pedestrian was struck by a police car and is currently in serious but stable condition.
In addition to traffic safety initiatives, the city of Asheville has provided updates regarding its water pre-treatment systems at the North Fork and DeBruhl water treatment plants, which were installed after Hurricane Helene impacted the plants in September 2024. These pre-treatment systems will remain operational until November 30, 2025, and are funded by FEMA. Mayor Esther Manheimer expressed gratitude to various state and federal stakeholders for their support in recovery efforts post-Hurricane Helene.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers installed these pre-treatment systems to mitigate water turbidity caused by storm debris. The current pre-treatment system is temporary, and plans are underway for a permanent solution at the reservoirs. Surveys indicate that conditions improve in the watersheds the longer there is no severe weather event. Debris removal is ongoing at the North Fork site, while the DeBruhl site will have debris removed at a later date. The city is also in the planning stages for permanent pre-treatment solutions through two private engineering firms.
In a recent tragic incident on I-40, a fatal crash involving a Chevrolet Corvette led to a fire that resulted in the death of the driver, identified as William Robinson. The Corvette reportedly experienced a mechanical failure and stopped in the center lane before being rear-ended by a Ford Escape. The driver of the Ford Escape sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital. This crash led to the closure of the eastbound lanes for three hours while emergency services managed the scene.
The investigation into the I-40 crash is still ongoing, with the Asheville Police Department actively collecting information from the public. Additionally, the Black Mountain Police Department addressed inaccuracies in social media posts regarding the town’s security cameras. In 2022, Black Mountain approved five Flock Safety cameras, but no new cameras have been added since then. Local businesses and neighborhoods have independently installed more security cameras.
Data from Black Mountain’s Flock cameras revealed 105 alerts in 2024 regarding wanted persons and stolen vehicles, resulting in the recovery of 17 stolen cars. The Flock cameras have been credited with helping law enforcement in resolving a series of car break-ins from Black Mountain to Asheville. Over 400 communities in North Carolina utilize the Flock camera system for safety and security purposes.
FAQ
Why is Asheville increasing law enforcement patrols in October?
Law enforcement agencies in North Carolina, including the Asheville Police Department, are increasing patrols during October due to historically high numbers of deadly crashes on North Carolina roadways compared to other months.
What is “Operation Crash Reduction”?
“Operation Crash Reduction” is a statewide campaign promoted by the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program aimed at preventing crashes caused by speeding, distracted driving, and other unsafe behaviors.
What measures have been taken regarding the water treatment plants post-Hurricane Helene?
The city of Asheville installed pre-treatment systems at the North Fork and DeBruhl water treatment plants following Hurricane Helene. These systems will operate until November 30, 2025, funded by FEMA.
How many fatal traffic incidents occurred in October 2024 in North Carolina?
In October 2024, 156 individuals lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes in North Carolina.
What recent traffic incident occurred on I-40?
A tragic crash on I-40 involving a Chevrolet Corvette led to a fire and the death of the driver. The Corvette reportedly experienced a mechanical failure and was rear-ended by another vehicle.
Key Features Overview
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Increased Patrols | Law enforcement agencies are ramping up patrols in October due to high traffic fatalities historically linked to this month. |
| Operation Crash Reduction | A statewide campaign aimed at reducing crashes from speeding and unsafe driving behaviors. |
| Traffic Fatalities | 156 individuals lost their lives in October 2024 motor vehicle crashes in North Carolina. |
| I-40 Incident | A fatal crash involving a Corvette resulted in the death of the driver, attributed to mechanical failure. |
| Water Treatment Systems | Pre-treatment systems installed at local plants post-Hurricane Helene, operational until 2025. |
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Additional Resources
- WLOS: Asheville Police Department Operation Crash Reduction
- 828 News Now: FEMA Extends Funding for Water Treatment
- WLOS: I-40 Fiery Wreck Kills Man
- WLOS: Asheville Police Department Operation Crash Reduction Gallery
- 828 News Now: Security Cameras Help Solve Crimes
- Wikipedia: Asheville, North Carolina
- Google Search: Asheville news
- Google Scholar: traffic safety North Carolina
- Google News: Asheville police department
Author: STAFF HERE ASHEVILLE WRITER
The ASHEVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAsheville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Asheville, Buncombe County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Asheville Bread Festival, LEAF Festival, and mountain sports tournaments at Biltmore Estate. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and Explore Asheville Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in hospitality and brewing that power the local economy such as the Biltmore Estate and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
