ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A Candler man is facing an additional charge of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle after a second person died following a three-vehicle crash March 21 on Smokey Park Highway, Asheville Police announced Thursday morning.
The accident happened about 6:13 p.m. on March 21, when a 2016 GMC Sierra truck was traveling eastbound on Smokey Park Highway and attempted to turn left into Acton Circle, police previously reported. A Hyundai Accent sedan was traveling westbound on the highway and the two vehicles collided. The Hyundai then made contact with a 2010 Nissan Titan truck.
The driver of the Hyundai, Larry Gaither Brooks, age 91, died at the scene. Police reported at the time that two passengers, Brooks’ son and daughter, were taken to Mission Hospital for treatment of injuries.
As first reported by the Asheville Citizen Times, one of the passengers, John Larry Brooks, 59, died on March 29, Asheville Police spokesman Rick Rice confirmed. The condition of the daughter was not released.
The driver of the GMC Sierra truck, John Terrell Foulk, 59, previously had been charged with one count of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, in connection with the death of Larry Gaither Brooks. He also previously was charged with failure to yield when making a left turn.
Following the second death, police consulted with the Buncombe County District Attorney’s office and a second charge of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle was filed.
According to a release, Foulk turned himself in on April 3 and was booked into Buncombe County Detention Facility where he was on a no bond hold, ineligible for release prior to further court proceedings.
This story, originally published on April 3, 2024, was updated on April 4, 2024, to reflect confirmation of the additional charge.