ASHEVILLE, Buncombe County, N.C., Oct. 5, 2026 — A woman died Saturday afternoon, October 3, after a pickup truck rolled away and ran her over on Pond Road in Asheville, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
Troopers were called to the 500 block of Pond Road at about 4:05 p.m. Saturday for a reported death, the highway patrol said. The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office had responded to the same address roughly three hours earlier, around 12:45 p.m., after a report of an overdose. Deputies began looking into that call before contacting state troopers to take over the investigation, officials said.
The highway patrol identified the woman as 52-year-old Machelle Lynn Williams, of Asheville. Investigators said a pickup truck had rolled away and struck her. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
It remains unclear how the two calls at the address, the earlier overdose report and the fatal crash, are connected. The circumstances of how the truck came to roll and the sequence of events before troopers arrived are still under investigation.
We are deeply sorry for the loss suffered by the victim's family.
Who Is Most at Risk When a Vehicle Rolls Away and Strikes Someone
Roll-away crashes often happen in driveways, parking areas, or private lots, which puts the people standing nearest a parked vehicle, often on foot, at the greatest risk. Unlike a typical traffic crash, the person struck may not see the vehicle coming because it isn't being driven at the time it starts moving.
Older adults and anyone with limited mobility face higher odds of serious injury or death in these incidents because they often have less time and ability to get out of the way once a vehicle starts rolling. Children playing near parked cars and people working on or near a vehicle, such as changing a tire or loading cargo, are also frequently involved.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 84 percent of pedestrian fatalities occurred in urban areas in 2023. Roll-away incidents are a smaller slice of overall pedestrian deaths, but they share the same pattern: a person on foot in a space they expect to be safe, caught off guard by a vehicle in motion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What usually causes a parked vehicle to roll away? Common factors include a transmission left out of park or gear, a parking brake that wasn't set, or a vehicle parked on a slope without wheels chocked. Mechanical failure can also play a role.
How does a vehicle's speed affect survival when it strikes a pedestrian? Even at low speeds, a vehicle the size of a pickup truck can cause fatal injuries, especially if the person is knocked down and run over.
Are pedestrian deaths more common in certain settings? Yes. Federal data shows most pedestrian fatalities happen in urban areas, though incidents involving parked or rolling vehicles often occur in driveways, lots, and residential areas.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Accident in Asheville, NC
If you witness a pedestrian struck by a vehicle, call 911 immediately and avoid moving the person unless they're in further danger. Note what you saw, including whether the vehicle was occupied or appeared to move on its own, since that detail matters to investigators.
Anyone involved, even if they feel uninjured at first, should seek a medical evaluation. Shock can mask the severity of injuries in the hours after a crash. Cooperate with responding officers and provide a written statement while details are fresh, and ask how to obtain a copy of the official report once it's completed.
