Jorge Narino Obituary, Death – 23-Year-Old Man Dies in Wrong-Way Collision on Interstate 85 in Gaston County
A deadly wrong-way collision brought traffic to a halt on Interstate 85 in Gaston County early Friday morning, May 2. According to the Belmont Police Department, the crash occurred around 1:23 a.m. near mile marker 25 on the northbound side of the highway. Officers had just received multiple calls warning of a driver traveling in the wrong direction when the crash was reported.
Investigation and Next Steps
Upon arriving at the scene, they discovered two damaged vehicles: a Hyundai Elantra and a Mercedes Sprinter transit van. Authorities quickly determined that the Hyundai had been traveling against the flow of traffic when it collided with the van. The driver of the Hyundai was identified as 23-year-old Jorge Narino, a Charlotte resident. Sadly, Narino was pronounced dead at the scene.
Community Response and Concerns
The impact of the crash led to a full closure of all northbound lanes of Interstate 85 in the area. Emergency crews, along with accident investigators and cleanup teams, worked for several hours to secure the scene, examine the vehicles, and remove the wreckage. The road closure caused significant disruption to early morning commuters, with traffic being redirected and detoured until the scene was fully cleared.
Implications and Future Directions
This crash adds to a troubling trend of wrong-way accidents, which often result in serious injuries or fatalities due to the high-speed nature of such collisions. Law enforcement officials across the region continue to emphasize the importance of staying alert while driving and reporting unusual or dangerous behavior as soon as it’s observed.
Conclusion
The Belmont Police Department is actively investigating the crash. They have not ruled out any potential causes, including impairment, distraction, or confusion, but stress that the investigation is still in its early stages. Officers are seeking help from anyone who may have seen the crash or the wrong-way driver prior to the impact.
As the community mourns the loss of a young life, authorities are using this moment to remind drivers about the importance of safe driving practices, awareness, and immediate reporting of suspicious activity on the roads. Wrong-way crashes, though rare, are particularly dangerous and often leave little chance for those involved to react or escape without harm.
