ASHEVILLE, Buncombe County, N.C., Oct. 7, 2026 — A pedestrian suffered serious injuries early Tuesday morning, October 6, after being struck by a pickup truck on Patton Avenue in Asheville. The crash happened at the intersection with Florida Avenue, according to the Asheville Police Department.
Officers responded at 6:03 a.m. to a report of a vehicle striking a pedestrian at Patton Avenue and Florida Avenue, the Asheville Police Department said. The pedestrian was taken to Mission Hospital with serious injuries, police reported.
A preliminary investigation found the pedestrian was in the crosswalk with the right of way when a 2015 Ford F-250 pickup truck struck them, according to Rick Rice, the department's public information officer. The driver stayed at the scene and was cited for failure to yield, Rice said.
Westbound Patton Avenue was narrowed to one lane for about an hour while crews worked the scene, police said. The investigation remains open.
We wish those injured a full recovery.
Why Pedestrian Crashes Keep Happening on Wide Arterial Roads
Roads like Patton Avenue are built to move traffic fast across town, with multiple lanes, few signals, and long stretches between marked crossings. That design works for cars but leaves pedestrians fewer safe places to cross, so many end up using crosswalks at busy intersections where turning vehicles and distracted drivers converge in the same few seconds.
Early morning and evening hours add another layer of risk. Visibility is lower, drivers may not expect foot traffic, and pedestrians can be harder to see against headlights or shadows. A driver making a turn is often scanning for other cars, not someone already in the crosswalk.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 77 percent of pedestrian fatalities occurred in the dark in 2023. Arterial roads without sidewalks or midblock crossings tend to concentrate these conflicts at the handful of intersections where pedestrians have no choice but to cross, making those spots recur as trouble areas over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pedestrian accidents more common at night?
Yes. Nationally, a large majority of pedestrian deaths happen after dark, when visibility is reduced for both drivers and people on foot.
What should a pedestrian do after being hit by a car?
Call 911 if possible, stay still if injured, and wait for emergency responders. Even if injuries seem minor, a medical evaluation afterward can catch issues that aren't immediately obvious.
Who has the right of way at a crosswalk?
Pedestrians generally have the right of way in a marked or unmarked crosswalk once they've entered it, though drivers and walkers should both stay alert.
How can drivers reduce the risk of hitting a pedestrian?
Slowing down near intersections, scanning crosswalks before turning, and avoiding phone use while driving all cut down on the split-second misses that lead to these crashes.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Asheville, NC
If you're involved in or witnessing a pedestrian crash, you should call 911 right away so police and medical help can reach the scene quickly. If you're the pedestrian and able to do so, try to note details like the vehicle, the time, and any nearby witnesses, since that information can matter later.
Seek medical attention even if you feel you've escaped serious injury. Adrenaline can mask pain from fractures or internal injuries for hours. Follow up with a doctor in the days after the crash, keep copies of any medical records, and request a copy of the police report once it's available for your own records.
