Gary Jackson Taylor Obituary, Death – A fatal crash occurred in Ashe County on Wednesday, resulting in the death of one person, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. The accident took place at approximately 9:30 a.m. on NC 163 near Heritage Farm Road.
The collision involved two vehicles, both Toyota Tacoma trucks. A 2015 Toyota Tacoma, driven by a 16-year-old, was traveling north when it crossed the center line and collided head-on with a 2004 Toyota Tacoma. The driver of the 2004 Tacoma, 80-year-old Gary Jackson Taylor from West Jefferson, was critically injured and transported to Ashe Memorial Hospital, where he later died.
The 16-year-old driver of the 2015 Tacoma was seriously injured and taken to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Troopers reported that the teenager was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.
The initial investigation indicated that neither speed nor impairment contributed to the accident. NC 163 was closed for approximately two hours following the crash as authorities worked at the scene.
Charges related to the incident are pending, as the investigation continues.