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Jimmy Lee Brooks, 42, of Leicester, North Carolina, died following a serious wrong-way collision on Interstate 26 near Asheville on Thursday afternoon, October 22, 2026. Brooks was a passenger in a Honda when the crash occurred near Exit 37, turning an ordinary journey into a fatal incident that left multiple people injured.

The account provided says the collision happened at approximately 2:30 p.m. and involved a Tesla travelling in the wrong direction on the eastbound side of the interstate. Brooks was among those transported to Mission Hospital with serious injuries. He later died.

Details of the Fatal Wrong-Way Crash on Interstate 26

According to reports citing the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, the collision occurred near Exit 37 in Buncombe County. A Tesla driven by 54-year-old Bradley Vance Lanier of Taylors, South Carolina, was travelling westbound in the eastbound lanes of I-26.

The Tesla first struck a Honda SUV head-on before colliding with a Honda passenger car near mile marker 36.5. Brooks was riding as a passenger in the Honda car.

The impact left several people injured. The driver and two passengers in the Honda passenger car were transported to Mission Hospital with serious injuries. Brooks later died at the hospital. The Honda SUV’s driver also received hospital treatment for minor injuries and was subsequently released. Lanier was treated for minor injuries as well.

Driver Charged Following the Collision

Lanier was arrested on October 22 and charged with driving while impaired (DWI), felony death by vehicle, felony serious injury by vehicle and reckless driving.

He was taken to the Buncombe County Detention Center and held on a $5 million secured bond. A court appearance was scheduled for October 23, according to reports published after the crash.

The charges represent allegations, and the case must proceed through the legal process. The investigation seeks to establish the circumstances surrounding the wrong-way driving and the resulting collision.

I-26 Closure After the Crash

The collision forced authorities to close the eastbound lanes of I-26 for approximately two hours while emergency crews and troopers responded and investigated the scene. The closure caused substantial traffic delays in the Asheville area.

Interstate closures following fatal crashes are necessary to allow emergency responders to assist injured people, document the scene and collect evidence. For motorists travelling through the area that afternoon, the incident also meant significant disruption to their journeys.

Yet for Brooks’s loved ones, the consequences extend far beyond the temporary road closure. His death has left family members, friends and others who knew him facing a loss that cannot be measured in traffic delays or investigation reports.

Remembering Jimmy Lee Brooks

Jimmy Lee Brooks was 42 and lived in Leicester, North Carolina. While reports have established his identity and the circumstances of the crash, further verified details about his personal life, career, family and interests have not been provided in the information available for this article.

Those who knew Brooks are best placed to share the memories and experiences that defined him beyond the tragedy. His life should be remembered as more than the circumstances of his final journey.

As his loved ones grieve, the hope is that they receive the support and compassion they need during this difficult time. Condolences also extend to the other people injured in the collision as they recover.

Personal and Accident Details

Disclaimer

This article summarizes reported information about the fatal I-26 crash involving Jimmy Lee Brooks. The driver’s charges are allegations and do not constitute a finding of guilt. Additional details about Brooks’s family, personal history and funeral arrangements have not been confirmed here. Readers should respect the privacy of his loved ones and rely on verified updates as further information becomes available.