LINVILLE, N.C. — One person was killed and multiple others were hurt when a van plowed into a crowd of people during one of the first events of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, North Carolina state troopers said.
Highway Patrol responded to a crash on U.S. 221 and NC Highway 105 in Avery County a few minutes before 7 p.m. Thursday night. Officials said the incident took place in the Chestnut Construction parking lot.
An 80-year-old Boone man, later identified as James Russell Deni, tried to leave a parking spot when he accidentally accelerated into the crowd as a race known as "The Bear" was scheduled to begin. The van also struck a John Deere Gator utility vehicle before coming to a final rest, officials said.
Julie Holderness, 72, of Greensboro died at the hospital from her injuries. Four other individuals were injured: three pedestrians and the operator of the John Deere Gator vehicle.
Deni has since been charged with unsafe movement and misdemeanor death by vehicle.
Organizers of the event canceled the race following the incident.
One of the runners scheduled to participate in the event talked to WCNC Charlotte about the events leading up to the incident.
"It was about 10 minutes before the start [of the race]," Jeremy Bush said. "I looked across the road from me and saw a van veering into a crowd of people and people were scattering."
Bush said a medical crew rushed to the scene as the scene unfolded. He feared that the driver would not stop after the initial impact.
"I didn't know what was happening," Bush said. "My first thought was this was something that we've seen on the news recently with, you know, vehicles, driving into crowds... So I immediately was looking for an escape plan and just didn't seem like the driver was stopping as quickly as he should have."
Bush said the driver exited the van after stopping and appeared to be cooperating with authorities.
"The Bear" is a 5-mile footrace that stretches from Linville to Grandfather Mountain. It is an event during the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, which are held until Sunday in Avery County.
“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.
Stephen Quillin, president of the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, told WCNC Charlotte's Julia Kauffman that in addition to canceling the bear run Thursday night, he also canceled the marathon scheduled for Friday morning due to the incident. Quillin added that there was a moment of silence for the victims at the opening ceremony Friday.
“It’s a sad day and the Scottish community is very close-knit, you might even say clannish," Quillin said. "So, when something happens to one of our own we all feel very deeply. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people and families affected."
Flowers were laid at the accident site to commemorate Holderness. There was also a heavy presence of state troopers to help direct traffic and ensure festival-goers were safe crossing streets. Thousands have traveled from all over the country to participate in the Games, and participants say they are trying to keep spirits high while still remembering the victims.
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