𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 C𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 F𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡 B𝐥𝐮𝐞 Li𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐬𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 W𝐚𝐫𝐧 A𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 I𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 D𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠

Asheville -- November 21, 2023: Asheville Police announced At 6:00 pm Wednesday, all across the region, the traditionally deadly “Blackout Wednesday “ will be turned blue:

On Wednesday, November 22, 2023, the WNC REGIONAL DWI TASK FORCE, MADD, Buncombe County Sheriff's Office Task Force, and the Asheville Police Department will be conducting a very special operation.
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving historically kicks off the holiday season with deadly motor vehicle crashes related to speed and DWI.
At 6:00 pm, all across the region, the traditionally deadly “Blackout Wednesday “ will be turned blue.
Patrol cars all across the region, including APD, will be simultaneously stationed at 6:00 pm, at the exact location where someone has died or been injured, with blue lights flashing for 5 minutes.
They will not be stopping cars or doing checkpoints during this time, instead serving as a solemn reminder to drive safe, sober, and buckled up through the holidays.

Participating Officers and victims acknowledged:
• Mandie Kirkconnell: On October 02, 2010, at 0245 hrs., Mandie was driving on I 240 East at Brevard Rd 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.
Lieutenant Josh Hill was the lead investigator in this case and will be at this location to remember Mandie.

• Stacey Garrett: On December 15, 2011, at 0747 hrs., Stacey was driving south on New Leicester Hwy near Harrisland Dr 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 Sgt. Hunter Welborn will be at this location to acknowledge Stacey.

• Michelle Crabtree: On January 16, 2012, at 0213 hrs., Michelle was riding with a friend who was driving on I 240 East as they approached I 40 East. Michelle’s friend was impaired on drugs and alcohol, she was also driving at a high rate of speed. Michelle’s friend lost control of the vehicle and caused a collision. The collision took Michelle’s life that day. The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office DWI Task Force Deputy Patrick Sluder will be at this location to remember Michelle.

• Madeline (Maddie) Jones/Bobby Edwards: On December 12, 2012, at 1640 hrs., 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 St near Biltmore Ave. The collision caused a permanent injury to a City of Asheville worker, Bobby Edwards, and took Maddie’s life that day. Sergeant Scott Fry was the lead investigator on this case and will be at this location to remember Maddie and acknowledge Bobby.

• William and Jamie (Soukup) Reid and their unborn child: On August 11, 20213 at 1111 hrs., Will and Jamie were on their way to the airport in a Taxi after attending a wedding in Asheville. The driver of the taxi was impaired on drugs. The driver lost control of the vehicle, hitting a tree on the side of I 26 East just past the I 240 West interchanges. Will, Jamie, and their child lost their lives that day. The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office DWI Task Force Cpl. Jason Hughes will be at this location to remember the Reid family.

• Madison Carswell: On October 2, 2017, at 0244 hr., Madison was a passenger in a vehicle traveling west on I 40 approaching the Hendersonville Rd exit. A drug and alcohol-impaired driver entered I 40 in the wrong direction. The vehicle hit Madison’s vehicle head-on. The collision took Madison’s life that day. The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office DWI Task Force Sgt. Ronnie Davis will be at this location to remember Madison.

• Diarra Fuller: On April 6, 2021, at 0836 hrs., Diarra was standing at the bus stop on 712 Merrimon Ave. A drug-impaired driver was traveling north on Merrimon Ave approaching this location. 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. Officer Daniel Hoskins will be at this location to remember Diarra.

• Clifton “Cliff” Turner: On March 17, 2005, Cliff was on Sweeten Creek Road loading a vehicle on his tow truck when an impaired driver struck and killed him. APD Officer Jose Rico-Garcia, along with Davis Automotive & Towing, will be at this location to
remember Cliff.

• Robert “Robbie” Allen: On September 09, 2022, Robbie was a passenger in a vehicle traveling north on Dillingham Road near the Barnardsville Fire Department. The driver was impaired on drugs traveling at a high rate of speed when he went left of center and lost control of his vehicle, going off the roadway, striking a utility pole and rock wall. Robbie lost his life that day due to the collision. Madison County Commissioner and retired Mars Hill Police Chief Michael Garrison, along with Madison County Sheriff's Department and BCSO Deputy William Johnston will be
at this location to remember Robbie.

• Courtney Brooke Allen: On January 15, 2022, Courtney was traveling west on Interstate 40 near Exit 66 in Black Mountain when she was struck head-on and killed by an alcohol-impaired driver who was traveling eastbound in the westbound lanes. NC ALE Special Agent Joe Moore and the Black Mountain Police Dept. will be at this location to remember Courtney. They will also be there to remember Caleb Camacho of Tennessee was killed by a separate driver as he was trying to help at the collision site.

• Margaret “Meg” Smith: On August 28, 2023, Meg was headed home from church, when she was broadsided by a truck that drove through a stop sign. Meg was severely injured by an uninsured and alcohol-impaired driver. Tragically Meg passed away from her injuries on September 21, 2023. BCSO Lieutenant Doug Underwood will be at the Basilica Saint Lawrence Catholic Church at 97 Haywood Street in downtown Asheville to remember Meg.

All the 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, there are many more lives that have been impacted by impaired and reckless drivers. Please remember to drive sober and slow down during this holiday season.