1 dead, 4 injured in apparent accident at Grandfather Mountain Highland Games; man charged
A woman died and four other people were injured after they were hit by a van July 7 in Linville, according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol.
Investigators believe the killing was accidental, but the man driving the van has been charged, according to a news release. The incident happened where the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games were taking place.
Julie Holderness, 72, of Greensboro, died from her injuries, according to a Highway Patrol news release. Four other people were injured.
James Russell Deni, 80, of Boone, has been charged with unsafe movement and misdemeanor death by vehicle. An investigation is ongoing.
According to the Highway Patrol, numerous pedestrians and participants were at the Chestnut Construction parking lot in Linville, adjacent to U.S. 221, for The Bear, a 5-mile footrace that was part of the Highland Games.
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“The collision occurred when a Ford Econoline van driven by (Deni) attempted to leave a parked position and accelerated into a group of pedestrians,” the release says. “After impact with the pedestrians, the van struck a John Deere Gator utility vehicle and came to a final rest.”
"After preliminary investigation, SHP investigators do not believe the act to have been intentional," the release says. "The entirety of the incident occurred in the aforementioned parking lot and was not precipitated by any traffic direction, road closures, detours, etc. on the main highway for the purposes of the organized event."
In a statement on its Facebook page, the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games acknowledged the incident.
“Shortly after 7 p.m. this evening as ‘The Bear’ footrace was about to begin, an accident involving a vehicle and multiple pedestrians occurred near the intersection of U.S. 221 and N.C. Hwy. 105 in Linville, N.C.,” the release says. “The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games took immediate action to cancel the race.”
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The Bear is a 5-mile footrace that starts at the intersection in Linville and ends on top of Grandfather Mountain.
“On behalf of myself and the entire Grandfather Mountain Highland Games organization and family, we are deeply saddened by tonight’s devastating event and extend our condolences to those affected," Grandfather Mountain Highland Games President Steve Quillin said in the statement.
Other activities would continue, according to the statement.
Ryan Oehrli is the breaking news and social justice reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. Email coehrli@citizentimes.com or call/text 252-944-6816 for tips.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: 1 dead in apparent accident at Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
