Three Winter Storm Deaths Reported Near Charlotte, North Carolina Roadways on February 02, 2026

Charlotte, NC (February 02, 2026) - Information for this report was obtained from local news coverage and statements attributed to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and state officials following a winter storm that created hazardous driving conditions across the state.

According to the Highway Patrol, three people were reported dead in separate, weather-related crashes that occurred over the storm weekend in Rutherford County, Robeson County, and Cherokee County. Officials said winter conditions contributed to each incident, with snow and ice affecting visibility, traction, and overall roadway safety.

In Rutherford County, troopers responded to a crash at about 7:40 p.m. on eastbound U.S. 74 near the Ellenboro exit. Highway Patrol statements reported that a Chevrolet pickup truck struck the rear of a motor grader that was performing snow removal while traveling partially in the right lane. The pickup driver, identified as 55-year-old Brandon Atkins or Brandon Akins of Forest City (spelled differently across reports), was pronounced dead at the scene. Three other occupants in the pickup were reported to have serious injuries described as non-life-threatening. The motor grader was reported to be operated by Strickland Grading under a contract related to snow removal for the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

In Robeson County, troopers responded just after midnight to a single-vehicle crash on Interstate 95 south near the 23-mile marker. Highway Patrol accounts reported that a vehicle driven by Jose Adolfo Urbina Rivera, 64, of Hampton, Virginia, left the roadway to the right, overturned, and became submerged in a ditch. Reports indicated there were no passengers. Highway Patrol summaries also stated that there was a significant amount of snow falling at the time, snow had accumulated on the roadway, and the vehicle was traveling at a speed described as greater than reasonable and prudent for the conditions.

In Cherokee County near the North Carolina-Tennessee state line, troopers responded around 7 p.m. to a crash on N.C. 294. Highway Patrol reports said a vehicle driven by Robert Edward Walker, 57, of Murphy, traveled off a snow-covered roadway, overturned, and landed in a creek. Troopers similarly concluded the vehicle was being operated at a speed described as greater than reasonable and prudent for the conditions.

State officials, including Gov. Josh Stein, publicly referenced the three deaths during a Council of State meeting and discussed the broader road response to the storm, including reports that road crews spread about 100,000 tons of salt over the past two weeks and pre-treated roads with more than 10 million gallons of brine. Stein also addressed confusion around a traffic backup on Interstate 85 near Kannapolis, noting that some coverage had characterized the situation as a “pile up,” while he described it as vehicles becoming stuck after a smaller incident because snow-covered roads prevented many tractor trailers from gaining traction.

Other coverage described additional storm-related deaths tied to different circumstances, including an incident involving a tree striking a vehicle and a death linked to a power outage affecting medical equipment, and it referenced statements attributed to Gov. Roy Cooper. Those reports were presented separately from Highway Patrol accounts focused on the three traffic fatalities. Where details differed among sources, the Highway Patrol’s crash summaries and the statements tied to the Council of State discussion were most consistent in describing three roadway deaths across Rutherford, Robeson, and Cherokee counties, with weather conditions cited as a contributing factor and with at least one additional storm-related death reported elsewhere as being under review.

What Is Often Assessed Following a Roadway Crash

Incidents reported locally are often part of a structured review process that continues well after the initial response is complete. In winter weather events, that review can involve more than a basic description of what happened, since investigators and insurers may need to account for rapidly changing road conditions, visibility, and how traffic was moving around active work operations like snow removal.

In many cases, timelines vary depending on the facts available and how quickly evidence can be gathered. Insurance carriers commonly evaluate items such as crash reports, scene photographs, vehicle damage, witness accounts, and any available roadway or weather documentation. When serious injuries or fatalities are involved, additional coordination may be needed, and it can take time for the overall picture to become clear.

How Different Types of Accidents Are Handled During Investigations and Claims

Not every crash is evaluated in the same way, even when the outcome appears similar on the surface. Car accident claims often begin with basic documentation, but the process can become more detailed when conditions involve commercial vehicles, roadway work, severe weather, or a vehicle leaving the road into water. In those situations, investigators and insurers may focus on how the roadway environment shaped decision making, such as speed selection, following distance, and the ability to see hazards in time.

Single-vehicle crashes, including rollovers, can lead to a different set of questions than collisions between multiple vehicles. Reviews often look at whether the vehicle left the roadway because of traction loss, visibility limitations, roadway edges hidden by snow, or an overcorrection. When a vehicle becomes submerged, responders and investigators may also document the roadside terrain, ditch depth, and the sequence of events that led to the final resting position.

Collisions involving active roadway equipment, including graders and other snow removal vehicles, may add another layer of analysis. These incidents can involve a close look at lane positioning, lighting, reflective markings, traffic flow patterns, and the practical realities of snow removal operations. Even when the initial statements appear straightforward, the final conclusions can depend on details that take time to confirm through measurements, photographs, vehicle inspections, and interviews.

Why Some Accident Situations Require Additional Fact Review

Some crashes move through the review process quickly, while others take longer because the facts are harder to confirm. Weather can change the roadway from one minute to the next, and that can influence how investigators document conditions at the time of the collision. It can also affect what evidence is available, since snow, ice, and subsequent traffic may alter the scene before all information is gathered.

The type of vehicles involved can also influence how a situation is addressed. A typical car accident may be evaluated primarily through driver statements, crash reports, and damage patterns, but a crash involving roadway work equipment or a vehicle leaving the roadway can require more steps to clarify what happened and why. Public safety concerns often shape these reviews as well, especially when crashes occur during emergency conditions or when road crews are actively working.

The nature of the incident can influence:

• How long it takes to collect and confirm scene details
• What documentation is available from responders and witnesses
• How insurers evaluate roadway conditions and driver decision making
• Whether additional inspections or follow-up statements are needed
• How official findings are finalized and released

Moving Forward In Charlotte After A Serious Car Accident

As the claims process develops, clear communication and organized documentation often become more important with each step. After a serious car accident, cases commonly progress from an initial report and early insurance contacts into a longer period of review, where records, photos, and statements are compared and decisions are made about coverage, responsibility, and the scope of losses. For families dealing with injuries or a fatal collision, that sequence can feel unfamiliar, especially when timelines are affected by ongoing investigations or incomplete information.

In Charlotte, many people find it helpful to approach the next phase by focusing on what can be confirmed, what is still being reviewed, and what documents will likely be requested. Staying grounded in the available facts can make it easier to navigate conversations with insurers and understand how a matter may move toward resolution.

Considering Legal Guidance After a Serious Accident

When legal questions come up after a crash, Rosensteel Fleishman Car Accident & Injury Lawyers helps people and families understand the process and what information may matter most. We work with clients who are trying to make sense of insurance communications, documentation requests, and the practical steps that often follow a serious car accident.

If you were affected by a collision like the incidents reported during the storm weekend, our firm can help you organize the details you have, understand common next steps, and feel more prepared as the situation moves forward.