Two teens dead, 2 others hospitalized following I-40 crash in Asheville
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Two Teens Killed, Two Hospitalized After High-Speed Crash on I‑40 Near Asheville
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS/WBTV) — Two teenagers lost their lives and two others are in critical condition following a single-vehicle crash late Saturday night, April 6, on Interstate 40 near Asheville.
At approximately 11:31 p.m., the North Carolina State Highway Patrol responded to a report of a crash involving a 2015 Volvo on the Exit 53B off-ramp eastbound in Buncombe County . Preliminary investigations suggest the vehicle was traveling at excessive speed and failed to safely navigate the off-ramp, veering off the left side of the road before colliding
Robert Fox, 19, of Wilmette, Illinois (rear-seat passenger)
Sophia (Sophie) Gordon, 16, of Charlotte—identified as a junior at Myers Park High School (rear-seat passenge
Isabella Tarantelli, 18, and another 17-year-old minor from Charlotte—both transported to Mission Hospital in critical con
Hunter Sanford, 18, from Pineville, N.C.
Both were taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries .
According to WLOS, the vehicle was carrying six teens in total, including two minors . Charlotte Catholic High School confirmed in a Facebook post that two of its junior students were among those involved .
The State Highway Patrol cited speed as a significant contributing factor. Warrants indicated the driver was traveling at over 100 mph when attempting to navigate the exit ramp .
Legal Action:
William Neumann was arrested on April 7 and charged with two counts of misdemeanor death by vehicle and one count of reckless driving . His legal team has not provided further comment. As of now, these remain the sole charges filed.
Community Reaction:
The tragedy has deeply affected the Charlotte community. Myers Park High School posted a memorial honoring Sophie Gordon on
its Facebook page, while Charlotte Catholic High School held a Mass and prayer service for students and families, particularly for those critically injured such as Abby Lyn Robinson and Isabella Tarantelli . In the aftermath,
students and staff are relying on counseling and support serv
Speeding is deadly: Traveling over mph on an exit ramp magnifies riwhat may seem like routine driving can become fatal in an instant.
Teen driving inexperience: Even minor errors are exacerbated at high speeds, underscoring the need for greater awareness and training for young drivers.
Ripple effect on communities: The crash has left two schools, dozens of families, and entire communities in mourning.
4. Legal questions: The misdemeanor charges have sparked debate over whether they sufficiently address the severity of the incident, especially given the high speed involved.
This remains an ongoing investigation. Authorities and local schools continue to provide updates and support to those affected. If you’d like me to follow developments like court proceedings, school
initiatives, or teen-driving safety efforts, I’d be glad to help.
