A 55-year-old man from Forest City died in a tragic crash Saturday evening on U.S. Highway 74 in Rutherford County, marking the first reported fatality on a western North Carolina highway attributed to the severe winter storm that struck the region.
The collision occurred around 7:40 p.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, along the eastbound lanes of U.S. 74 near the Ellenboro exit. Brandon Atkins was driving a Chevrolet pickup truck when he collided with the rear of a motor grader that was partially traveling in the right lane while performing contracted snow removal for the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Brandon Atkins did not see the snow-removing equipment ahead of him in time. The impact of the crash pinned him inside his vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders. The motor grader was owned and operated by a private contractor working for the state’s transportation department to clear roads during the hazardous winter conditions.
Three other passengers were inside the Chevrolet pickup truck with Atkins at the time of the crash. All three occupants sustained serious injuries in the collision. They were transported from the scene to a local hospital for treatment. Authorities confirmed that while the injuries were serious, they were not considered life-threatening.
The crash caused significant disruption on the highway. The eastbound lanes of U.S. 74 near the Ellenboro exit were closed for a period of time while emergency crews worked at the scene and investigators documented the crash. The closure was necessary to ensure the safety of responders and to facilitate the clearing of the vehicles from the roadway.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the full circumstances leading to the fatal collision. This incident was one of many collisions responded to by troopers during the winter storm; from midnight on Saturday alone, the Highway Patrol reported responding to 132 crashes, 14 of which involved injuries. Officials have emphasized the dangers of travel during such conditions.
In the aftermath of the storm and this tragedy, law enforcement urged continued caution. Lieutenant Josh Dowdle of the Highway Patrol noted that while main roads were being cleared, many secondary routes remained covered with snow and ice, and extremely cold temperatures were making clearing operations difficult. The public was advised to avoid travel if possible and to use extreme caution if driving was necessary.