NORTH CAROLINA — Police are investigating a fatal pedestrian crash that occurred Thursday night along Smokey Park Highway in Asheville.
According to the Asheville Police Department, officers responded to the incident around 8:45 p.m. on Jan. 22, 2026. A preliminary investigation determined that Eric Jonathan Cope was crossing Smokey Park Highway in the 400 block, outside of a designated crosswalk, when he was struck by a northbound Ford F-250 pickup truck.
Cope was transported to Mission Hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Police said the driver of the truck remained at the scene following the crash.
The incident remains under investigation. Once the investigation is complete, police said the findings will be reviewed in consultation with the Buncombe County District Attorney’s Office.
Anyone with information related to the crash is asked to contact the Asheville Police Department at 828-252-1110. Anonymous tips may also be submitted by texting TIP2APD to 847411 or through the TIP2APD smartphone app.
