ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A man has been charged in connection with a July 6 crash on Interstate 40 in Asheville that left one person dead, police said Tuesday.
Walter Francis Smith, 62, was charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, unsafe movement, unsafe tires, violation of vehicle registration provisions and expired registration plate, according to the Asheville Police Department. Smith turned himself in Tuesday and was booked into the Buncombe County Detention Facility without bond under the Pretrial Integrity Act.
The charges stem from a fatal collision that occurred around 7:36 a.m. July 6 near mile marker 51 on I-40 East. Police said a 2008 Ford F-250 truck towing a trailer, driven by Carlos Alfredo Amaya-Segovia, 34, had pulled over to the shoulder due to mechanical failure. As Amaya-Segovia was outside his vehicle, a 2021 Ford F-450 truck — also towing a trailer — attempted to change lanes and struck the disabled truck.
The impact pushed the F-250 into Amaya-Segovia, who died at the scene, police said. His next of kin has been notified.
The investigation was conducted by Asheville police in coordination with the Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office.
Authorities said the investigation is still active and encouraged anyone with information to contact Asheville police or submit anonymous tips via the TIP2APD smartphone app or by texting TIP2APD to 847411.