One-Year Old Among Victims of I-40 Collision in North Carolina
A seven-vehicle collision was touched off by a tractor-trailer plowing into the rear of an SUV on Interstate 40 east of Asheville, North Carolina on July 2nd. Westbound traffic had backed up due to a lane closure while crews trimmed trees beside the highway. The tractor-trailer slammed into a line of waiting cars pushing several cars aside, while pushing others ahead and even knocking one over onto its roof.
One child, Haiden Bailey, was a passenger in the fifth of seven vehicles. He died of his injuries Wednesday at an Asheville hospital. Sixteen other people were involved in the collision, eleven of whom were taken to hospitals. Several remain in critical condition.
The driver of the tractor-trailer, 59 year old Carroll Jett of West Virginia, was not injured. Jett apparently did not heed posted warnings to slow down that reportedly were posted up to one mile from the tree trimming. Charges have not yet been filed against Jett.
Thanks to the Citizen-Times for reporting on this tragic story.
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