William Robinson Obituary, Death – Asheville authorities have identified the man who died in a fiery crash on Interstate 40 Thursday afternoon as William Robinson. According to the Asheville Police Department, Robinson was driving a 1980 Chevrolet Corvette eastbound on I-40 near mile marker 45 when his vehicle reportedly suffered a possible mechanical malfunction. The issue caused the car to stop in the middle of the interstate’s center lane.
Shortly after the Corvette came to a stop, a Ford Escape traveling in the same direction was unable to avoid a collision and struck the back of Robinson’s vehicle. The impact of the crash caused the Corvette to catch fire.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene, but Robinson tragically died on site as a result of the collision and ensuing fire. The driver of the Ford Escape was injured in the crash and transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Officials said their injuries were not considered life-threatening.
Due to the severity of the crash and the fire, Interstate 40 eastbound was shut down for approximately three hours while emergency crews worked to clear the scene and investigate.
Asheville police are continuing to investigate the incident and have not yet determined all contributing factors. Once the investigation is complete, authorities will present their findings to the Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office for further review.
Police are asking for the public’s help in gathering additional information related to the wreck. Anyone who witnessed the crash or has relevant details is encouraged to contact the Asheville Police Department at 828-252-1110. Individuals who prefer to remain anonymous can submit tips through the TIP2APD smartphone app—available by searching “Asheville PD” in mobile app stores—or by texting “TIP2APD” to 847411.
The tragic accident has raised concerns about the dangers of highway breakdowns, especially when vehicles stop in active traffic lanes. Robinson’s death serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly situations on the interstate can escalate, particularly when mechanical issues occur unexpectedly.
As the investigation continues, authorities hope to piece together exactly what led to the Corvette’s failure and whether anything could have prevented the fatal outcome.