Asheville Off-Ramp Fatality Leads To Cross-State Arrest and Charges Filed
A pedestrian was struck and killed on the Interstate 240 Exit 7 off-ramp in Asheville on the evening of Jan. 3, 2026, and authorities arrested a suspect in Virginia four days later. The case raises questions about pedestrian safety on interstate ramps, enforcement of revoked licenses, and interjurisdictional coordination in Buncombe County.
On the evening of Jan. 3, 2026, a pedestrian was struck and killed on the Interstate 240 off-ramp at Exit 7 in Asheville. The victim was identified as Daniel Anthony Duryea, 32. Duryea was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police say the first vehicle struck Duryea and the driver called 911, provided information, and then left the scene while Duryea was still lying in the roadway. A second vehicle then struck Duryea; that driver remained at the scene. Investigators located and arrested the driver involved in the initial contact in Marion, Virginia on Jan. 7, 2026. Authorities identified that driver as Shaina Renee Dallachiesa, 37, and charged her with felony hit and run causing severe injury or death and driving while license revoked. The investigation into the circumstances of the crash and the sequence of events remains active.
The sequence of events on a busy interstate off-ramp exposes practical and policy concerns for Buncombe County residents. Off-ramps are not designed for pedestrian use, and incidents that place people in traffic lanes create grave hazards for drivers and bystanders. The case also underscores enforcement issues when a person involved in a crash leaves the scene, and when drivers operate with revoked licenses. Local prosecutors will determine whether the charges filed reflect the full scope of criminal liability as the investigation and any subsequent court proceedings advance.
The cross-state arrest highlights the practical need for interjurisdictional cooperation in traffic fatality investigations. Authorities in Buncombe County and in Virginia coordinated to identify and locate the suspect within days, demonstrating law enforcement pathways that can be mobilized when suspects leave the immediate area. For residents, the case may prompt renewed calls for improvements in lighting, signage, barriers, and access control on interstate ramps, as well as continued public education about the dangers of walking near high-speed traffic.
As the case moves through the legal system, it will be important for county and city officials to review whether additional measures are warranted to prevent similar tragedies. Families and community members seeking information about the investigation should follow official statements from local law enforcement as charges progress through the courts.
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