Troopers: 1 killed, several hurt in head-on crash following Labor Day kayak trip

ASHE COUNTY, N.C. — State troopers are investigating a deadly Labor Day crash involving a kayak and canoe rental company in Ashe County.

On Monday, just before 3:30 p.m., the Highway Patrol was called to the scene of a head-on crash on NC 16 near Sussex Road.

According to investigators, a 2012 Jeep Wrangler was heading north on NC 16 when the driver crossed the centerline and collided head-on with a 2010 Ford Econoline van owned and operated by Zaloo’s Canoes in Jefferson.

The Jeep ran off the road and flipped. The driver, a 60-year-old woman, was seriously injured and flown to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist in Winston-Salem.

Troopers said the Zaloo’s Canoes van had seven people inside, including customers, and was towing a trailer with kayaks. The group was returning from a kayak trip, investigators told Channel 9.

The driver of the van was taken by ambulance to Ashe Memorial Hospital in Jefferson, while four passengers were flown to Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City, Tennessee.

The front seat passenger, 49-year-old Lori Richelle Myers, of Terrell, died at the scene. Troopers said she was wearing her seatbelt.

It’s unclear how many people in the van were Zaloo’s Canoes customers.

Investigators said it did not appear impairment was a contributing factor, and the crash remains under investigation.

Check back with wsoctv.com for updates on this story.

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