Valerie Pereski, William Cochrane Obituary, Death – A tragic head-on collision on Russ Avenue on Wednesday evening claimed the lives of an Arden couple, Valerie Pereski, 68, and William Cochrane, 76. The accident occurred around 6:35 p.m. on the stretch of Russ Avenue between Shining Rock Classical Academy and the Haywood County Senior Resource Center.
According to reports, a BMW SUV, traveling north towards Dellwood City Road, was in the far-right lane of the highway. For reasons still unknown, the vehicle veered across all five lanes of traffic, colliding head-on with a Ford F-250 pickup truck that was traveling in the opposite direction in the outside lane. The impact caused both vehicles to come to a stop, blocking all lanes of traffic on the busy highway.
Sadly, Pereski, the driver of the BMW, and Cochrane, the passenger, were both pronounced dead at the scene. The couple had been married and had been staying at a family-owned cabin in Haywood County following a family member’s passing. Their beloved 4-year-old Sheltie, Molly, was also killed in the accident. The driver and passenger of the truck sustained injuries, but fortunately, their injuries were not life-threatening.
The couple, who had lived in Western North Carolina for ten years, were well-known in the area. Pereski had a passion for nature and flowers, particularly tulips, and had a love for the beauty of the region. McAlexander, the couple’s nephew-in-law, described Pereski as lively and knowledgeable, always up-to-date with the latest in politics and technology. Cochrane had some neurological issues following surgery, and Pereski had been caring for him during this time.
Pereski’s family, who reside in Georgia and Tennessee, were devastated by the news of the accident. They sought information from local Facebook groups and expressed their gratitude for the support from the community. McAlexander noted the kindness and assistance from local groups, which helped them understand the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol has not yet determined why the BMW crossed five lanes of traffic or if speed was a contributing factor. The road was closed for three hours while emergency crews responded to the scene. Although the area has experienced accidents in the past, it had not seen one as severe as this in recent times.
Sgt. Chris Scerri of the North Carolina Highway Patrol noted that this was the first fatal accident on that stretch of Russ Avenue since he started working in the area almost a year ago. While the area does experience minor accidents, nothing had been as serious as this tragic event.
As the investigation continues, the community mourns the loss of the couple, who had made Western North Carolina their home for the past decade, and the family remembers them as caring, generous individuals who lived life to the fullest.