Authorities conduct 'special operation' to prevent holiday road fatalities

643 AND IT’S TIME FOR NEWS TO GO. WE HAVE A LOOK AT TODAY’S TOP NEWS STORIES, TRAFFIC AND WEATHER ALL BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT THE DOOR. WE START WITH THE THANKSGIVING TRAVEL RUSH HOUR. ISABELLE MARAK IS JOINING US LIVE IN GREENVILLE COUNTY WITH SOME IMPORTANT REMINDERS FOR DRIVERS. ISABELLE. DESTINY. GOOD MORNING. YEAH. IF YOU’RE HEADED OUT ON THE ROAD FOR THAT THANKSGIVING TRAVEL DAY, YOU’LL WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR CAR IS IN GOOD SHAPE. SO BEFORE YOU LEAVE, YOU SHOULD MAKE SURE THAT YOU CHECK YOUR TIRE PRESSURE, FLUID LEVELS, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS. LEAVE EARLY AND GIVE YOURSELF EXTRA TIME TO GET TO YOUR DESTINATION AS WELL. EXPERTS SAY THE BEST TIME TO DRIVE TODAY IS BEFORE 11 A.M., AND ON THANKSGIVING DAY, IT’S BEFORE 10 A.M. AND AFTER 5:00 ON FRIDAY TO AVOID SHOPPERS, EXPERTS SAY THE BEST TIME TO LEAVE IS AFTER 1 P.M. POLICE ALSO REMIND DRIVERS TO BE PATIENT THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. THEY SAY DON’T BLOCK INTERSECTIONS, DON’T DRIVE AGGRESSIVELY OR SPEED. PLAN YOUR ROUTE BEFORE HEADING TO YOUR DESTINATION AND DON’T DRIVE DISTRACTED OR UNDER THE INFLUENCE. TRIPLE A SAYS THAT SOME DRIVERS MIGHT WANT TO BE PREPARED WITH FOR WINTER WEATHER, AS WELL, MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE AN EMERGENCY KIT AND BLANKETS IN THEIR CAR JUST IN CASE THEY NEED IT. BUT FOR NOW, REPORTING LIVE HERE IN GREENVILLE COUNTY, I’M ISABELLE MARAK FOR WYFF NEWS FOUR. MANY OF US ARE FLYING THIS THANKSGIVING AS WELL, SO HERE’S A LIVE LOOK FROM GSP AIRPORT. WE’VE BEEN HERE ALL THROUGHOUT THE MORNING. THE LINES HAVE LOOKED MOSTLY GOOD. TRAVEL LOOKS MOSTLY GOOD THERE AS WELL. NO FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS OR DELAYS, BUT THIS YEAR HASN’T BEEN ALL SMOOTH SAILING FOR THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY, SO EXPERTS SUGGEST PEOPLE WHO ARE FLYING SHOULD PACK WITH POSSIBLE DELAYS AND CANCELLATIONS IN MIND, AND ALSO BE PREPARED FOR SOME LONG WAIT TIMES. THAT CONNECTION GETS CANCELED OR SOMETHING HAPPENS AND YOU’VE CHECKED A BAG TRYING TO RETRIEVE THAT BAG WHILE ALSO TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO NEXT. IT JUST ADDS ANOTHER LAYER OF STRESS. TRIPLE A ALSO SAYS SOME DRIVERS NEED TO PACK FOR THE WEATHER AS WELL AS YOU’RE TRAVELING FOR THE HOLIDAY, SOME DETOURS MAY BE IN PLACE PART OF I-40 IS CLOSED IN HAYWOOD COUNTY INTO TENNESSEE AFTER HURRICANE HELENE WASHED OUT SEVERAL LANES. SYDNEY SULLIVAN HAS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU HEAD UP THE MOUNTAIN. THANKSGIVING WEEK IS HERE, BUT DUE TO HELENE, THERE ARE STILL SOME IMPORTANT ROAD CLOSURES TO KEEP IN MIND AS YOU HIT THE ROADS. CURRENTLY, I-40 IS STILL CLOSED AT THE NORTH CAROLINA AND TENNESSEE LINE IN BOTH DIRECTIONS, WHILE I-26 HAS ONE LANE OPEN IN EACH DIRECTION. AT THE TENNESSEE AND NORTH CAROLINA STATE LINE. IF YOUR TRAVELS TAKE YOU FROM GREENVILLE TO GATLINBURG OR PIGEON FORGE, HERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO KNOW. IF YOU HEAD TOWARDS HENDERSONVILLE AND ASHEVILLE ON I-26 WEST. LIKE YOU TYPICALLY WOULD ONCE YOU ARE APPROACHING ASHEVILLE, TAKE THE EXIT FOR HIGHWAY 74 AND I-40 TO CANTON AND KNOXVILLE. WHEN YOU SEE THE WAYNESVILLE EXIT, STAY ON HIGHWAY 74 WEST. THEN YOU WILL TAKE HIGHWAY 19 TOWARDS MAGGIE VALLEY AND CHEROKEE. THEN ONCE YOU GET ON U.S. 41, YOU ARE ALMOST THERE. SO ALL SAID AND DONE, TOTAL TRAVEL TIME IS ABOUT THREE HOURS. BUT OF COURSE, STAY TUNED TO ANY ROAD UPDATES AND STAY SAFE. THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. SYDNEY. THANK YOU! ROAD CREWS ARE HOPING TO HAVE ONE LANE IN BOTH DIRECTIONS ON INTERSTATE 40 OPEN BY NEW YEAR’S DAY. WELL, AT 647, AND FEMA IS GRANTING ADDITIONAL TIME FOR SURVIVORS TO STAY IN SHORT TERM EMERGENCY SHELTERING AT HOTELS AND MOTELS. TRANSITIONAL SHELTERING ASSISTANCE HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL DECEMBER 12TH. FEMA WILL NOTIFY YOU 3 TO 7 DAYS BEFORE YOUR CHECKOUT DATE. AFTER DETERMINING IF YOU’RE ABLE TO RETURN TO YOUR HOME RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND DIRECT TEMPORARY HOUSING ASSISTANCE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE. MORE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON FEMA.GOV. WE’RE FOLLOWING BREAKING NEWS THIS MORNING. A DEATH INVESTIGATION IN GREENVILLE COUNTY HAS NOW BEEN RULED AS A HOMICIDE. THAT’S ACCORDING TO THE CORONER’S OFFICE. WE’RE TOLD 19 YEAR-OLD PEDRO JUAN PASCUAL OF GREENVILLE WAS SHOT IN THE HEAD AND OFFICIALS SAY HE WAS FOUND DEAD IN THE ROAD ON PINE STREET ON MONDAY NIGHT. WE’RE TOLD THERE’S STILL NO SUSPECT IN CUSTODY, BUT DEPUTIES THINK IT IS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. IT REMAINS AN ACTIVE INVESTIGATION. ALSO, FOLLOWING BREAKING NEWS OUT OF THE CHESNEE AREA. A BRUSH FIRE IS BURNING RIGHT NOW IN THAT AREA. IT IS AN EXCLUSIVE LOOK FROM SKY4 IS WHAT YOU’RE CURRENTLY LOOKING AT. THIS IS RIVER OAK ROAD NEAR SHORTCUT ROAD. ROADS ARE CLOSED WHILE EMERGENCY CREWS ARE BUSY WORKING. NO WORD ON ANY DELAYS. STAY WITH WYFF NEWS FOUR AS WE LEARN MORE. POLICE SAY A SPARTANBURG REGIONAL HEALTH CARE EMPLOYEE HAS DIED AFTER BEING HIT BY A VEHICLE. THAT HAPPENED AROUND 840 YESTERDAY MORNING NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF EAST WOOD STREET AND NORTH CHURCH STREET. POLICE SAY 58 YEAR OLD MAITA CASTILLO WAS IN THE CROSSWALK WHEN SHE WAS HIT BY AN SUV. WE’RE TOLD SHE DIED FROM HER INJURIES AT THE HOSPITAL. POLICE SAY THE SUV DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED AND FACES TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS, INCLUDING DRIVING UNDER SUSPENSION AND FAILURE TO YIELD TO A PEDESTRIAN. SPARTANBURG REGIONAL RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT, SAYING IN PART, QUOTE, OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH THE FAMILY AND LOVED ONES OF OUR ASSOCIATE. WE STAND READY TO PROVIDE WHATEVER SUPPORT WE CAN TO THE FAMILY AT THIS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TIME. END QUOTE. IF RETURNED PROMPTLY, NO CHARGES WILL BE PRESSED. THAT’S THE MESSAGE FROM THE TOWN OF HONEA PATH AFTER SOMEONE TOOK A CHRISTMAS DECORATION. THE TOWN POSTED ON FACEBOOK THAT A DECORATION FOR MAIN STREET IS MISSING. THE POST SAYS IF YOU HAVE THIS DECORATION OR KNOW ITS WHEREABOUTS, WE KINDLY ASK THAT YOU RETURN IT TO TOWN HALL OR PLACE IT BACK AT ITS ORIGINAL LOCATION. HEY, GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. 649 IT’S COLD OUT THERE, 44 DEGREES IN CLEMSON. GOOD MORNING TO YOU. 45 IN WALHALLA. WE’RE FREEZING IN FRANKLIN AND IN ASHEVILLE. GETTING PRETTY CLOSE TO THAT IN GAFFNEY. HEY, UNION LAURENS GREENWOOD. LOOK AT THAT. EVERYONE IS MUCH COLDER THIS MORNING THAN WE WERE YESTERDAY AT THIS TIME. WE HAD A COLD FRONT COME THROUGH YESTERDAY AND IT’S DOING ITS JOB. HERE’S THAT COLD AIR IN PLACE. WE’LL SEE A MIX OF SUN AND CLOUDS TODAY. NOT NECESSARILY WALL TO WALL SUN AND NOT OVERCAST. WE’LL KIND OF HAVE THAT MIX COME AND GO THROUGHOUT THE DAY. IT WILL BE COOLER. DAYTIME HIGHS NEAR 60 FOR THE UPSTATE. MID TO UPPER 50S FOR THE MOUNTAINS. THE RAINFALL MOVES IN AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT. TOMORROW WILL BE WARM, BUT THEN A MORE SIGNIFICANT COOLDOWN STARTS. THIS WEEKEND. I’LL GET YOU CAUGHT UP ON THE LATEST WITH THAT WITH A LOOK AT YOUR FOUR-DAY PLUS THAT’S COMING UP IN ABOUT SIX MINUTES FROM RIGHT NOW. FIRST, LET’S GET YOU OUTSIDE, GET ANOTHER CHECK ON THOSE ROADS. DESTINY CHANCE. HEY PARELLA, RIGHT NOW WE’RE TAKING A LIVE EXCLUSIVE LOOK FROM SKY FOUR IN SPARTANBURG COUNTY. HIGHWAY 101, THIS IS I-85. YOU CAN SEE THAT TRAFFIC IS JUST MOVING RIGHT ALONG. NO SLOWDOWNS TO REPORT AT THE MOMENT. WE’LL CONTINUE TO TRACK THIS THROUGHOUT YOUR MORNING. ALSO, YOUR TRAVEL TIMES HAVE BEEN GREAT FOR THIS WEDNESDAY MORNING. I-240 TO ASHEVILLE HIGHWAY 11 MINUTES, SIX MINUTES. AIRPORT TO WOODRUFF ROAD AND 13 MINUTES FAIRVIEW ROAD TO DOWNTOWN IN NORTH CAROLINA. ARMY COOK SERVED HUNDREDS OF THANKSGIVING MEALS AT FORT LIBERTY. WE’RE TOLD THAT’S A HOLIDAY TRADITION, AND IT’S A WAY THE OFFICERS OF THE UNION SHOW RESPECT AND APPRECIATION FOR WHAT THESE MEN AND WOMEN DO EVERY DAY TO PROTECT OUR FREEDOM. AS FOR WHAT’S ON THE MENU, WE HAVE CRAB LEGS, WE HAVE LOBSTER TAILS, WE HAVE STEAKS. WE HAVE LET’S SEE. I GOT A WHOLE DANG LIST. WE HAVE MAC AND CHEESE, GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE. WE. OH, BOY, WE GOT TURKEYS. WE GOT DANG NETTED TURKEYS. WE HAVE HAM, WE GOT GLAZE. WE GOT EVERYTHING. SOUNDS PRETTY DELICIOUS. FORT LIBERTY SAYS THAT EVENT IS ALL ABOUT SOLDIERS TAKING CARE OF FELLOW SOLDIERS WHO CAN’T MAKE IT HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS. YET? NAH NAH NAH NAH NAH NAH NAH NAH NAH NAH NAH NAH. ALL RIGHT. IT’S THE END OF THE COMPETITION FOR ELBERTON, GEORGIA’S JAKEEM FORTSON. THE 13 YEAR OLD WAS ELIMINATED LAST NIGHT IN THE PLAYOFF ROUND. FORTSON SANG MICHAEL JACKSON’S MAN IN THE MIRROR. HE WAS ONE OF THREE MEMBERS CUT FROM MICHAEL BUBLÉ’S TEAM. WE WANT TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS ON A GREAT PERFORMANCE. TOMORROW’S MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE LINEUP INCLUDES SOME OF THE MIGHTY SOUNDS OF THE SOUTHEAST. THAT’S RIGHT, THE CAROLINA BAND WILL BE HEARD THROUGHOUT THE BIG APPLE BEFORE FLYING INTO GREENVILLE AND CHEERING ON THE SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS AGAINST CLEMSON IN SATURDAY’S PALMETTO BOWL. THE BAND IS VISITING FAMOUS LANDMARKS ALL AROUND THE CITY. YESTERDAY, THE GAMECOCKS WENT OVER TO NEW JERSEY TO REHEARSE FOR TOMORROW’S PARADE. IT’S THE FIRST TIME THE MARCHING BAND IS PARTICIPATING. STUDENTS SAY THEY’RE EXCITED. ALSO THANKFUL THEY GET TO CELEBRATE THE MILESTONE WITH THEIR FRIENDS. A LOT OF US HAVE BEEN MARCHING SINCE AT LEAST HIGH SCHOOL, SO IT JUST FEELS LIKE YEARS OF CONSTANT MARCHING BAND AND LIKE ALL THE HARD WORK, IS KIND OF LIKE COMING TO FRUITION ALL AT ONCE. EARLY THIS MORNING, THE TODAY SHOW CREW WILL TAKE YOU BEHIND THE SCENES FOR A SPECIAL PREVIEW BEFORE THE THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE BEGINS. THAT’S THE MACY’S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE. SO EXCITED. I LOVE HOW YOU LEANED INTO ME IN THE BEGINNIN

‘Blackout Wednesday’ turns blue: Authorities conduct ‘special operation’ to prevent road fatalities

Updated: 4:32 PM EST Nov 27, 2024

“Blackout Wednesday” turns blue as authorities conduct a “very special operation” to prevent holiday road fatalities.(Video above: WYFF News 4 Morning Headlines)On Wednesday, Nov. 27, the Asheville Police Department and the Western North Carolina Regional DWI Task Force are conducting a “very special operation.”Officials said the Wednesday before Thanksgiving historically kicks off the holiday season with deadly motor vehicle crashes related to speed and driving while intoxicated. Deputies announced patrol vehicles all across the region, including APD, will be simultaneously stationed at 6 p.m. at the exact location where someone has died or been injured, with blue lights flashing for 5 minutes.These stationed patrol vehicles will not be stopping cars or doing checkpoints during this time. Instead the patrol vehicles will serve as a solemn reminder to drive safe, sober, and buckled up through the holidays, law enforcement said. Participating Asheville officers and the victim acknowledged:Mandie Kirkconnell : On Oct. 2, 2010, at 2:45 a.m., Mandie was driving on Interstate 240 East at Brevard Road when an alcohol-impaired driver entered I-240 East in the wrong direction and hit Mandie head-on. The collision took Mandie’s life that day. APD Lt. Josh Hill was the lead investigator on this case and will be at this location to remember Mandie.Stacey Garrett: On Dec. 15, 2011, at 7:47 a.m., Stacey was driving south on New Leicester Highway near Harrisland Drive when a drug-impaired driver crossed left of center hitting Stacey head-on. Stacey sustained a major head injury from the collision and was forever changed, mentally and physically. APD Officer Josh Durham will be at this location to acknowledge Stacey. Madeline (Maddie) Jones/Bobby Edwards: On Dec. 12, 2012 at 4:40 p.m., Maddie was a passenger in a vehicle driven by her father. Maddie’s father was driving in a reckless manner and lost control of the vehicle on South Market Street near Biltmore Avenue. The collision caused a permanent injury to a City of Asheville worker, Bobby Edwards, and took Maddie’s life that day. APD Sergeant Scott Fry was the lead investigator on this case and will be at this location to remember Maddie and acknowledge Bobby.Diarra Fuller: On April 6, 2021 at 8:36 a.m., Diarra was standing at the bus stop on 712 Merrimon Ave. A drug-impaired driver was traveling north on Merrimon Ave. The driver crossed left of center and entered the parking lot of 712 Merrimon Ave. hitting Diarra at the bus stop. Diarra lost his life that day due to the collision. The Asheville Police Department Traffic Team conducted the investigation. APD Officer Shelby Middleton will be at this location to remember Diarra.Clifton “Cliff” Turner: On March 17, 2005, Clifton was in the 1000-Block of Sweeten Creek Rd. loading a vehicle on his tow truck when an impaired driver struck and killed him. APD Officer Jon Derrick and a tow truck company will be at this location to remember him.Authorities said all impaired and reckless drivers in these cases were held accountable for their actions through the Buncombe County justice system. This is just a small number of victims, many more lives have been impacted by impaired and reckless drivers. Please remember to drive sober and slowly during this holiday season.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. —

“Blackout Wednesday” turns blue as authorities conduct a “very special operation” to prevent holiday road fatalities.

(Video above: WYFF News 4 Morning Headlines)

On Wednesday, Nov. 27, the Asheville Police Department and the Western North Carolina Regional DWI Task Force are conducting a “very special operation.”

Officials said the Wednesday before Thanksgiving historically kicks off the holiday season with deadly motor vehicle crashes related to speed and driving while intoxicated.

Deputies announced patrol vehicles all across the region, including APD, will be simultaneously stationed at 6 p.m. at the exact location where someone has died or been injured, with blue lights flashing for 5 minutes.

These stationed patrol vehicles will not be stopping cars or doing checkpoints during this time. Instead the patrol vehicles will serve as a solemn reminder to drive safe, sober, and buckled up through the holidays, law enforcement said.

Participating Asheville officers and the victim acknowledged:

• Mandie Kirkconnell : On Oct. 2, 2010, at 2:45 a.m., Mandie was driving on Interstate 240 East at Brevard Road when an alcohol-impaired driver entered I-240 East in the wrong direction and hit Mandie head-on. The collision took Mandie’s life that day. APD Lt. Josh Hill was the lead investigator on this case and will be at this location to remember Mandie.
• Stacey Garrett: On Dec. 15, 2011, at 7:47 a.m., Stacey was driving south on New Leicester Highway near Harrisland Drive when a drug-impaired driver crossed left of center hitting Stacey head-on. Stacey sustained a major head injury from the collision and was forever changed, mentally and physically. APD Officer Josh Durham will be at this location to acknowledge Stacey.
• Madeline (Maddie) Jones/Bobby Edwards: On Dec. 12, 2012 at 4:40 p.m., Maddie was a passenger in a vehicle driven by her father. Maddie’s father was driving in a reckless manner and lost control of the vehicle on South Market Street near Biltmore Avenue. The collision caused a permanent injury to a City of Asheville worker, Bobby Edwards, and took Maddie’s life that day. APD Sergeant Scott Fry was the lead investigator on this case and will be at this location to remember Maddie and acknowledge Bobby.
• Diarra Fuller: On April 6, 2021 at 8:36 a.m., Diarra was standing at the bus stop on 712 Merrimon Ave. A drug-impaired driver was traveling north on Merrimon Ave. The driver crossed left of center and entered the parking lot of 712 Merrimon Ave. hitting Diarra at the bus stop. Diarra lost his life that day due to the collision. The Asheville Police Department Traffic Team conducted the investigation. APD Officer Shelby Middleton will be at this location to remember Diarra.
• Clifton “Cliff” Turner: On March 17, 2005, Clifton was in the 1000-Block of Sweeten Creek Rd. loading a vehicle on his tow truck when an impaired driver struck and killed him. APD Officer Jon Derrick and a tow truck company will be at this location to remember him.

Authorities said all impaired and reckless drivers in these cases were held accountable for their actions through the Buncombe County justice system. This is just a small number of victims, many more lives have been impacted by impaired and reckless drivers. Please remember to drive sober and slowly during this holiday season.