ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A man was killed Thursday afternoon in a fiery crash on Interstate 40 in West Asheville, authorities said.
According to the Asheville Police Department, officers responded around 1:55 p.m. to a collision on I-40 East near Mile Marker 45. Investigators said a 1980 Chevrolet Corvette driven by William Robinson, 56, came to a stop in the center lane — possibly because of a mechanical failure — when it was rear-ended by a 2016 Ford Escape.
The impact caused the Corvette to catch fire, which was extinguished by the Asheville Fire Department. Robinson died at the scene, police said. His next of kin have been notified.
The driver and passenger of the Ford Escape were taken to Mission Hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening.
The crash shut down I-40 East for three and a half hours as police investigated.
The Asheville Police Department said the investigation remains active and ongoing. Once completed, findings will be reviewed with the Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call APD at 828-252-1110 or submit an anonymous tip via the TIP2APD app or by texting TIP2APD to 847411.