ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Asheville Police Department is investigating a fatal car crash that occurred earlier this week in West Asheville.
Around 1:11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7, APD officers responded to a vehicle rollover collision on I-240 West near Amboy Road. At the scene, officers discovered an unoccupied 2007 Toyota Corolla and a wallet with identification. A witness said they saw an individual walk away from the vehicle after the crash, but after a search of the immediate area, officers could not locate anyone.
Later that morning, a pedestrian reported a body lying in “dense underbrush” along an embankment near Virginia Avenue, APD said.
The victim, deceased, was identified as Colby Dwayne Owens, 21. Officers concluded after a preliminary investigation that Owens was traveling westbound on the interstate when he struck the right guardrail. The vehicle then crossed over all westbound traffic lanes, striking the left guardrail and rolling down the embankment. Owens was ejected from the vehicle during the rollover.
“If you have any information about this incident, please contact APD at (828) 252-1110,” APD said. “You can also send an anonymous tip using the TIP2APD smartphone application (search “Asheville PD” in your app store) or by texting TIP2APD to 847411.”