Blue Ridge |  |
The following Incident Reports were extracted from the NPS Morning Reports/Coalition Reports from 1989-current. They are not a complete record of all incidents which occurred in this park during this timeframe. INCIDENTS | |
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Tuesday, September 9, 1986 Location: Near Ashville, N.C. Mr. J.E.L. was picked up on radar by a ranger on the parkway at 81 mph in a 45 mph zone. The ranger pursued, but backed off when both vehicles approached a section of the highway with many curves. J.E.L., however, continued to accelerate, and lost control of his car: it went airborne on a comer, flipped several times and impacted so hard that it took an hour and a half to extricate him. Although he was alive at the accident scene, he expired at the hospital. J.E.L.'s license had been revoked following two convictions for drunk driving. Blood test results have not yet returned, but it is suspected that he was intoxicated at the time of his death.
Location: Roanoke River Overlook (Mile 114) At the above date and time, a visitor found the body of a white male (6', 210 pounds, 25-30 years old) about two hundred yards below the parkway near an overlook. The man had been shot twice with a small caliber weapon, had no ID, and was found without shoes on in a sleeping bag. The latter suggested that he had been shot elsewhere and then dropped in the park. The FBI and Roanoke County are involved in the investigation. A follow-up call was made to Chief Ranger Parr at 2:15 pm on 9/22: nothing further has been determined, except that a Roanoke night club stamp was found on the victim's hand indicating that he'd been at that club on the night of the 20th.
Location: Roanoke River Overlook Mr. T.S. confessed to Roanoke police that he'd murdered Mr. R.L.E. The homicide did occur in the park; the two were homosexual partners, and T.S. killed R.L.E. when the latter refused sexual relations after they bedded down above the bank of the Roanoke River. No further information available at present.
Location: Fishers Peak (outside park) A medevac helicopter from Baughman Gray Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, was en-route to Fishers Peak, Virginia, to pick up a patient when it crashed into a rock face of the mountain in heavy fog. The pilot and two nurses were killed. The crash site is about 200 yards from the park's boundary, and the park staff is assisting the Virginia state Police at the scene. AROUND THE REGION Three persons were killed yesterday when an ambulance helicopter crashed on Fisher's Peak in Carroll County, Va., near the North Carolina border, authorities said. The crash occurred about 1 p.m. as the helicopter was flying from North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem to Twin County Community Hospital in Galax, Va., to pick up a patient, said Baptist Hospital spokesman Roger Rollman. Rollman identified the dead as pilot B.D. and nurses K.S. and B.B. He said the pilot was an employe of the Air Care program at the hospital and the nurses worked at the hospital. N.L. of Lambsburg, Va., a tiny community near the crash site, said the helicopter flew regularly past her house on trips to and from Twin County Community Hospital. Yesterday, she said, something seemed wrong. "We thought it was having difficulty, because it was louder than usual," she said. "It seemed to be a little lower than usual. We thought it was awfully low going toward the mountain." A few minutes after the helicopter flew by, N.L. said, she heard a "big kaboom" and called the Carroll County Sheriff's Department.
Location: Milepost 110.9 Ms. K.F.B. was one of three passengers in a vehicle being driven by Mr. T.P.. The vehicle was headed north on the parkway at a high rate of speed when the driver lost control and went off the road. All four were thrown from the vehicle, which rolled over. T.P. suffered broken ribs; two passengers had minor injuries; K.F.B. was killed. No evidence of excessive alcohol, but a blood alcohol test will be performed on the driver.
Location: Milepost 100.7 Mr. S.D.B. lost control of his car while driving on the parkway. In the ensuing accident, he was thrown from the car and killed, the front seat passenger (Mr. D.E.C.) suffered serious injuries, and the two rear seat passengers suffered minor injuries. All four had just graduated from high school and were celebrating; alcohol was involved and it is probable that the driver was operating under the influence. A local TV news crew was on the scene shortly after the accident, and the driver's next of kin learned of his death from television news before the park could call them.
Location: Roanoke River L.K.T. and a friend were drinking heavily. L.K.T., who couldn't swim, decided to jump in the river and cool off. He submerged, came to the surface several times, then disappeared entirely. His girlfriend and two power company employees who were working nearby attempted to rescue him without luck. The Vinton Rescue Squad recovered the body at 3:15 pm the same day.
Location: Milepost 13 M.N., a seasonal ranger in interpretation at Shenandoah, was last seen on Wednesday, August 5th, the first of his two lieu days. He failed to show up at work on Friday and again on Saturday, so the park began a search for him. Entry was gained to his quarters, and a journal was found. The last entry was on Wednesday; it indicated that M.N. was severely depressed and that the entry might be his last. Subsequent conversations with family and friends revealed that he has had a history of depression. His car was found late in the afternoon at Milepost 13 on the Blue Ridge Parkway - 13 miles south of the south entrance to Shenandoah. A hasty search of the area was conducted on Saturday night, but without luck. The two parks were beginning a joint search for M.N. on Sunday morning, employing 20 rangers from Shenandoah and an unknown number from Blue Ridge, volunteers, dog teams, and Eagle I, the Park Police helicopter from Washington. M.N. is reportedly an excellent hiker, and hiked almost the entire Appalachian Trail last year. He may be familiar with the area.
Location: Maupin Field Shelter The search continues for Shenandoah seasonal interpretive ranger M.N., who has not been seen since August 5th. His car was found on the 8th at milepost 13 on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and a major search has been in progress since Saturday. Nobles was reported to be seriously depressed. Early yesterday afternoon, searchers found M.N.'s pack and some personal belongings 100 yards off the Appalachian Trail near Maupin Field Shelter. The items found included clothing, a walking stick, running shoes, a canteen which was 3/4 full and two empty over-the-counter drug containers. A doctor was consulted on the two drugs; he has said that neither is dangerous by itself, but that they would create hallucinations if taken together in substantial amounts. Dogs were brought in shortly thereafter, but could find no scent. At nightfall, searchers received a report of a "stench" within a mile or so of the shelter and are going to check the area closely this morning.
Location: Various The search for Shenandoah seasonal interpretive ranger M.N. (previously reported as N.), which has been in progress for ten days, continues but is being scaled down. Last Thursday, nearly 300 searchers walked the area along the Appalachian Trail where his pack and other items were discovered, but found nothing. An inter-agency overhead team was brought in on the weekend to help run the search, which continued to prove fruitless. As of this morning, that team is being disbanded, and the search is continuing with about 50 people - predominantly NPS - in the field, along with several dog teams. Over the weekend, a father and son reported that they had seen M.R.N. on the trail around midday on the 7th. He was hiking in his socks, and, although heading south at the time, he asked the two for directions to a campground which was 100 miles to the north. Because of this, searchers are convinced that M.N. is no longer in the original search area, and have shifted their emphasis from ground searches to interviews with people who might have seen him. Posters with his picture on it will also be placed throughout the area. A decision will be made on Wednesday as to the future course of search efforts. Richmond Times-Dispatch, Friday, August 14, 1987 B-3 No new clues found as search continues for missing ranger CHARLOTTESVILLE - The search for a 25-year-old Shenandoah National Park ranger missing since late last week intensified yesterday as more than 280 volunteers walked a densely wooded area along the Appalachian Trail. No new clues were found. M.R.N., a veteran hiker and National Park Service ranger and naturalist, was reported missing early Sunday morning when he failed to arrive at work. His car was found Sunday afternoon on the Blue Ridge Parkway about 13 miles south of Waynesboro. Tuesday, his backpack and boots were found near the Maupin Field Shelter, located between Reed's Gap and Love Gap on the Appalachian Trial. Also found at the shelter were a pair of his rolled-up pants and a long stick used by M.R.N., which he had nicknamed "Walking Stick," said Shenandoah Park Ranger Teresa Shirakawa, a friend of M.R.N.'s. "There is a definite urgency in concentrating large numbers of people on the search because of the length of time he has been missing," she said. Chuck Anibal, assistant chief naturalist at Shenandoah National Park and a friend and co-worker of M.R.N., told United Press International yesterday that investigators went through M.R.N.'s journal at his borne looking for clues about where he may have gone. The journal, which Anibal said M.R.N. keeps regularly, "showed that he was in a somewhat depressed state that may have caused him to change his normal behavior." Anibal stressed that suicide was not mentioned in the journal. "It did not indicate self-destruction at all. "But he may be wandering off just trying to get away from people, something he has been known to do," Anibal said. "He has been known to get away and hike to work out his problems." This summer is M.R.N.'s first with the park service, Ms. Shirakaw" --Md. "It was something he set as a goal. He always wanted to be a park ranger." Yesterday's search, which included several dozen of M.R.N.'s friends and park service colleagues, focused on a three-square-mile area on the Nelson-Augusta County line northeast and south between Reed's Gap and Love Gap. More than 280 volunteers with 20 different groups and agencies -- including the Civil Air Patrol, the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service and Appalachian Search and Rescue -- searched the area from 7 a.m. until sunset. Fort Lee also sent more than 100 soldiers early yesterday to help in the search. The group consists of 32 soldiers from the 57th Transportation Co., 67 soldiers from the 109th Quartermaster Co., 10 medics and a non-commissioned officer from the 85th evacuation hospital. Ten teams have been formed from the group, each served by a medic and supplied with full rescue equipment. They will search daily until dark and expect the search could last up to three days. Assisting the search parties were four dog teams from Pennsylvania and Virginia, as well as deputies with area sheriff's departments. Despite yesterday's heavy turnout of volunteers, the search was unsuccessful. "We haven't turned up any clues. It was a long time getting all 280 people in the field ... we keep rotating people in and out of the search so they don't get over-exhausted or stressed," Ms. Shirakawa said. Although the dog teams detected several scents yesterday, those also failed to yield additional information as to M.R.N.'s whereabouts, she added. Officials think M.R.N. could be in an area other than those that have been searched this week but they also are not ruling out foul play or injury as causes in his disappearance. M.R.N.'s extensive hiking experience, however, would make him "more prepared than most people" to survive in the woods in adverse conditions, Ms. Shirakawa said, noting that last summer the Massachusetts native hiked the Appalachian Trail along its 2,000-mile route from Maine to Georgia. The search will resume today. Staff writer LeeNora Everett contributed to this article. Richmond Times-Dispatch, Sunday, August 16, 1987 E-7 2 say they saw hiker 8 days ago LURAY -- The search for a Shenandoah National Park naturalist moved farther south yesterday after a man and his son told authorities they talked to him eight days earlier and that he appeared to be disoriented, park spokesman Chuck Anibal said. Based on the reported sighting of M.R.N., Anibal said authorities planned to change the scope of the search beginning today. "His mental state definitely has us concerned," Anibal said. "On the other hand, his physical condition definitely leads us to believe he can cover quite a bit of distance." Anibal said the father and son told authorities they met M.R.N., 25, on the Appalachian Trail at midday Aug. 7. M.R.N. had begun his hike the previous day. Anibal said the two hikers, whose names were not available, told authorities M.R.N. asked directions to a campground 100 miles to the north. They said M.R.N. was walking briskly toward the south at the time and he just had socks on his feet. "He appeared to be in very good physical condition but was disoriented," Anibal said. "He's an experienced Appalachian Trail hiker" and should have known he was a long way from the campground. He said the hikers did not report the encounter until Saturday because they did not know authorities were looking for M.R.N. until they heard a news report about the search. Anibal said authorities do not suspect foul play. He said M.R.N. was known to be carrying sleeping pills and other over-the-counter drugs. The hikers met M.R.N. about two miles south of the Maupin Field shelter, where his equipment and hiking boots were found last week. About 235 people continued the search for M.R.N. yesterday. Anibal said about 25 organizations are involved in the search, with the largest number of participants, 107, coming from the Army's 23rd Quartermaster Brigade at Fort Lee. Using military-style organization, a forestry emergency incident team is also involved in the search. The team, which joined the search effort Thursday night at the request of the National Park Service, consists of 26 people trained to handle large-scale emergency operations in a 17-state region from Texas to Virginia. Crews were broken up into divisions and teams, each with leaders, and searchers were being briefed before departing for the day and debriefed at the end of the day's search in the George Washington National Forest and along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Valuable clues had been turned up by the smaller-scale searches conducted so far, said Whitney Lerer, a U.S. Forest Service official from South Carolina and a member of the Southeastern Interagency Incident Command Team. For example, Noepel's truck and camping gear already had been found. UPI "The folks that were here were doing a very good job," he said, "but they were becoming weary and we were asked to come in and provide relief." As of Friday afternoon, Lerer said, the search had cost an estimated $126,800 with an additional $190,000 in donated services from local agencies. Anibal said the search team is covering about four square miles a day. Beginning today, Anibal said, "Instead of going with grid sweeps ... we're going to broaden the scope and see if we can pick up clues farther away." The new search techniques would include the use of a helicopter, dog team and a man specially trained in tracking techniques. Anibal said. He said authorities planned the changes "because new information on the location and direction of travel and physical condition of the subject leads us to believe that we may have to deal with a much larger area than we are now." Richmond Times-Dispatch, Monday, August 17, 1987 B-5 140 searching for naturalist in park area MONTEBELLO (UPI) - About 140 people searched yesterday in Shenandoah National Park for naturalist M.R.N., who disappeared more than a week ago. "We have sent a dozen dog teams well south and well north of the command center in Montebello and about 75 miles separate the groups in the north from the groups in the south," Phil Noblitt, a spokesman, said. He also said searchers were using dogs just off the Appalachian Trail to try to pick up M.R.N.'s scent in case he had wandered off the path. Another spokesman, Hoyt Rath, said a light rain yesterday morning was helping the dogs. "The rain last night and this morning makes conditions ideal for working the dogs. The rain is a real plus and will increase the [intensity of the] scents that are out there." Over the weekend, a father and son told searchers they had spotted M.R.N., a 25-year-old park employee, on Aug. 7. The two, who had just come off the trail, said he was wearing gray shorts, a gray T-shirt and socks. The father and son also said M.R.N. seemed disoriented, asking for directions to a campground. B-4 Richmond Times-Dispatch, Tuesday, August 18, 1987 'Hot' track found after possible sighting Times-Dispatch state staff CHARLOTTESVILLE - The search for a Shenandoah National Park-ranger missing along the Appalachian Trail changed directions yesterday after campers reported that- a man resembling the ranger was wandering briefly along U.S. 250 near Waynesboro. Two dog tracking teams began searching that area yesterday and found what officials called a "hot" track near where the unsubstantiated sighting at 7 p.m. Sunday occurred. "The dogs seem to be on a track. ... We are optimistic the track will be his," Warren Bielenberg, a naturalist with the Shenandoah National Park and spokesman for the search, said late in the day. The object of the search is M.R.N., 25, a veteran hiker and recently hired park service naturalist and ranger. He was reported missing when he failed to arrive at work Aug. 9. His car was found later that afternoon on the Blue Ridge Parkway about 13 miles south of Waynesboro. The possible sighting of M.R.N. Sunday night occurred about 18" miles from where some of his belongings, including his boots, a pair of pants and his backpack, were found Tuesday. "They didn't see him well. He was up in the brush along the trail," Bielenberg said of the campers who may have seen M.R.N.. The man fled into brush moments after he was seen by the campers, park service officials added. Bielenberg said the man seen by the campers was wearing a T-shirt, shorts and no shoes. At a confirmed sighting of M.R.N. on Aug. 7 he was dressed in a T-shirt and shorts and was wearing socks but no shoes. That sighting occurred about 6 miles south of where M.R.N.'s belongings were found. Yesterday's search involved about 45 people, most of whom continued to concentrate on a rugged five-mile area near Harper's Creek Shelter. It is about six trail miles from where M.R.N. was seen Aug. 7, though searchers did not learn of that sighting until late last week when the campers left the trail. Before Sunday's possible sighting, searchers spent the weekend conducting a sweeping search of a 70-mile area between where M.R.N.'s belongings were found and the Loft Mountain campgrounds where he has been living this summer. The search also extended further northwest toward Elkton. "When the campers reported the [Sunday] sighting, it changed the whole search," Bielenberg said. Searchers yesterday also passed out fliers describing M.R.N., who is 6-foot-1, 155 pounds, with hazel eyes and blond hair.
Location: Milepost 25 A husband and wife were riding their bikes southbound on the parkway when an unidentified white male in a small rust-colored pickup truck with blue-on- white license plates stopped and called them over to his truck. As the man approached the truck, the driver pulled out a small caliber rifle and pointed it at him. Both the man and woman turned and ran, but the driver of the truck was still able to hit the man three times in the leg with bird shot. A ranger arrived on the scene shortly thereafter; a search was mounted for the vehicle, but neither it nor the driver was found. The man is in the hospital recovering from superficial wounds; the woman was not injured.
Location: Roanoke River Bridge An unidentified motorist observed M.C. walk onto bridge, step over the railing, turn her back to the chasm and jump off the bridge onto the rocks below. M.C. had reportedly been undergoing psychiatric treatment. A note of her intentions was found at her home. Roanoke County Coroner's office is handling the incident. Next of kin have been notified.
Location: 1/4 mile E of Milepost 15.5 Early on Sunday, two ginseng hunters found what appears to be the body of M.R.N., the seasonal ranger from Shenandoah who has been missing since early in the month. Although it has not yet been confirmed that the body is M.R.N.'s, circumstantial evidence makes the likelihood highly probable - it was found one half mile from the point where M.R.N. was last seen on the 7th and the body was clothed in a T-shirt and shorts which match the ones which he was wearing at that time. The body was found in a deep, narrow ravine, which, according to the chief ranger, maie it very difficult to see unless you were right on top of it. The area had in fact been "heavily" searched by dogs and searchers. The cause of death has not yet been determined, but one ankle was clearly broken. The body has been taken to Richmond for positive identification and determination of the cause of death. The family has been notified. The park has a press release ready but will not release it until confirmation has been received that it is M.R.N..
Location: Linville Falls Park rangers received a report that a man was having a heart attack somewhere on a closed dirt road in the Linville Falls area of the parkway. Park rangers and Avery County sheriff's deputies searched without success on the 30th and 31st; early on the morning of the 1st, a deputy found J.R.C.'s partially clothed body on a sheet in a rhododendron thicket. The coroner's preliminary investigation indicates that cerebral hemorrhage was the probable cause of death.
Location: South of Blowing Rock, N.C. N.L.M. and G.R.S. were en route from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, to Indianapolis, Indiana, in G.R.S.'s two-seat Downer Bellanca when they encountered dense rain and fog. A park neighbor heard their plane crash and notified the Watauga County sheriff's office, which in turn notified local fire and rescue departments. They found that the pilot of the plane (it's not clear whether G.R.S. or N.L.M. was flying the Bellanca) had flown it straight into the mountain, that they'd both been killed and that the plane had burned. Both bodies were removed from the crash site the same day. The FAA is investigating.
Location: Out of park J.C. began his third or fourth season as a seasonal maintenance worker in the Swannanoa District of Blue Ridge Parkway last Monday. Yesterday morning, he was found in his father's truck at his father's house in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, an apparent suicide victim. J.C. was reported to have had personal problems outside of work.
Location: North of Mabry Mill The pickup truck driven by M.C.D. crossed the centerline on a curve, striking the motorcycle ridden by the C.'s head-on and killed both of them instantly. M.C.D.'s injures were limited to cuts and bruises. R.L.H. and J.H., both passengers in M.C.D.'s vehicle, were hospitalized with severe head injuries. J.H. is comatose. Evidence indicates that M.C.D. was under the influence of alcohol.
Location: North of Balsam Gap An off-duty North Carolina Highway Patrolman saw D.E.W., 38, of Fletcher, North Carolina enter the parkway and drive north. A short time later the officer came upon D.E.W.'s car after it had collided with a guard rail. The officer found D.E.W. in the drivers seat with a gunshot wound in his chest. A recently fired handgun and a rambling suicide note in the car indicate that he apparently died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound while driving.
Location: 3 Miles South of Rockfish Gap A park visitor was driving on the parkway just south of the Rockfish Gap entrance, when another vehicle approached him from the rear, and rammed him three times. The ramming vehicle then swerved to the left across oncoming traffic and went off the road down a steep bank. The operator of the wrecked vehicle then ran into the woods away from the parkway. A second visitor stopped to offer assistance. He left his vehicle with the engine running; his girl friend J.S. remained in the vehicle. The operator of the wrecked vehicle then came out of the woods, entered the J.S. vehicle and drove away at a high rate of speed. J.S. attempted to pull the keys from the ignition and screamed for help. Her abductor pushed her back into her seat and told her to shut up or he would kill her. J.S. was transported about 4 miles to Virginia Route 250 near Waynesboro, VA, where her abductor stopped the vehicle and told her to get out. J.S. proceeded to a pay phone and called the Waynesboro Police Department. R.W.F. was arrested on June 1st following an extensive investigation by NPS staff with assistance from the Virginia State Police and the Augusta County Sheriff's Office. Federal grand jury indictments have been filed against R.W.F. for abduction, and larceny of a motor vehicle. Numerous misdemeanor charges are also pending.
Location: South of Crabtree Meadows A badly decomposed body, tentatively identified as that of D.C.W., Sr., 31, of Roanoke, Virginia was found by galax hunters on U.S. Forest Service land adjacent to the parkway. D.C.W. apparently drove his pickup truck off an overlook at a high rate of speed. The vehicle landed about 400 feet out from and several hundred feet below the parkway and was not visible from the roadway. D.C.W. was reported missing on May 4th and was reported to have been suicidal.
Location: East of Asheville, NC On August 2nd, at 2:30 pm, R.A.W. and his wife were driving north on the parkway just east of Asheville, North Carolina. While driving, R.A.W. turned to his wife to ask about a map, when he turned his attention back to driving the vehicle was off the road and going over an embankment. The vehicle came to rest after striking a rock and R.A.W., who was not wearing a seatbelt, was seriously injured and pinned in the vehicle. When rangers arrived, R.A.W. was not breathing and CPR was initiated reviving him. R.A.W. was extracted from the vehicle and air lifted to Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville where he later died.
Location: Daniel Boone's Trace On September 18th, at 7:30 pm, E.L.B., 22, died from injuries sustained when his vehicle struck a bridge abutment at a high rate of speed. Rain, fog and darkness at the time of the accident may have been a contributing factors. There is no evidence of drug or alcohol involvement.
On January 8th, at 12:30 pm, the body of W.F.B., 74, of Pisga Forest, North Carolina was discovered in his locked vehicle at the Cradle of Forestry Overlook on the Parkway. W.F.B. died of an apparent self-inflicted gun shot wound and was found with an automatic handgun, a suicide note and family photos at his side. W.F.B. had been a seasonal employee of a Parkway concessioner.
S.V., 26, of Montreal, Canada, and. his passenger, H.S., were motorcycling on the parkway near Ashville, North Carolina, on the afternoon of May 16th. Despite the fact that the pavement was wet, witnesses said that S.V. was driving at a very high rate of speed. He lost control of the motorcycle on a curve, crossed the centerline, hit the left front quarter of a motor home head on, and slid underneath it. S.V. was pronounced dead at the hospital; H.S. is in very critical condition. (Steve Smith, RAD/SERO).
Around 10:30 a.m. on the 5th, a park maintenance employee found a van with its windows shot out at Big Ridge Overlook on the North Carolina section of the parkway. Investigating rangers subsequently found I.L., 49, and J.L., 47, both of Seffner, Florida, within the vehicle. She was dead of gunshot wounds; although he had been shot at least twice in the head, he was still alive. J.L. is now in critical condition in a hospital and is not expected to survive. Rangers, FBI agents and Buncombe County deputies are investigating. (Howard Parr, CR, BLRI, via telephone report from Steve Alscher, RAD/SERO).
On September 10th, R.P., 68, of Bluefield, West Virginia, was riding with a group of motorcyclists on the parkway when he lost control of his motorcycle and hit a guardrail. He died, of his injuries soon after the accident. The cause of the accident is unknown; R.P. was not speeding, nor was he affected by alcohol or road conditions. (Telephone report from Capt. Steve Alscher, RAD/SERO).
On the morning of the 18th, the park received a call from a person employing a car phone stating that there was a woman standing outside the railing of the parkway's Roanoke River Bridge. Rangers arrived at the scene and found a car registered to 36-year-old C.L.P. of Roanoke; there was a suicide note on the windshield. The following afternoon, a fisherman on Smith Mountain Lake, two miles downstream from the bridge, discovered C.L.P.'s body. (Telephone report from Capt. Steve Alscher, RAD/SERO).
On the evening of March 17th, the park was notified that an ELT signal had been received from an airplane which had crashed into the south slope of Sharp Top Mountain near Peaks of Otter in the Virginia segment of the parkway. CAP searchers sighted the wreckage from the air early on the morning of the 18th, and park rangers reached the scene about two hours later. Both the pilot, 22-year-old R.C., and the passenger, 29- year-old D.C., were killed in the accident. The plane had been en route from Lynchburg, Virginia, to Lexington, Kentucky. The National Transportation Safety Board, Federal Aviation Administration and Virginia State Police were at the site conducting an investigation yesterday. (Telephone report from Steve Smith, RAD/SERO, 9 a.m. EST, 3/19/90).
Around midnight on May 12th, 42-year-old J.F. of Charlottesville, Virginia, was killed when the car he was driving northbound on the parkway in Virginia ran off the roadway and down a 25-foot embankment, hit a tree, caught fire and exploded. (Mike Murphy, BLRI, via telefax report from Capt. Steve Alscher, RAD/SERO, noon EDT, 5/15/90).
In 1989, park rangers, USFWS agents and Virginia game officers initiated an undercover operation on snake peaching which was occurring along the parkway in Virginia. The investigation culminated in the arrest of E. and V.F. on charges of conspiracy to possess and sell illegally-taken wildlife, selling wildlife taken from a national park, and distribution of marijuana. The couple were found guilty, and appeared before a U.S. magistrate for sentencing on April 9th. The magistrate sentenced V.F. to two years supervised probation and E.F. to 42 months active jail time and four years of supervised probation upon his release. (Telefax report from Capt. Steve Alscher, RAD/SERO, noon EDT, 5/15/90).
Just before noon on the 20th, the body of an as-of-yet unidentified middle- aged woman was found 45 feet below Chestoa Overlook in North Carolina. The woman appeared to have suffered massive injuries before her fall, so her death is being treated as a homicide. An autopsy was scheduled for tomorrow to determine the cause of death. In October of 1988, H.G. and S.H. fell to their deaths from this overlook. J.G., H.G.'s husband, was found innocent of two counts of first degree murder following a second trial of his case in June. (Telephone report from Terry Freeman, BLRI, 8/21; UP story, 8/21).
R.P., around 19 years old, was killed when the vehicle he was riding in hit a rock at a high rate of speed and burned just before 8 a.m. on the morning of October 30th. Two other passengers and the driver were hospitalized. Preliminary investigation indicates that alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the accident. (Blanche Purcell, BLRI, via telefaxed report from Marcella Gibson, RAD/SERO, 10/30).
On the afternoon of July 4th, L.C.C., a 33-year-old patient at Catawba Mental Hospital, jumped from the Roanoke River Bridge to her death. L.C.C. was on an outing with her mother at the time. They had walked on the Fisherman's Trail and returned when she ran onto the bridge and jumped off. Rangers Richard Morefield, Don Coleman and Ed Clark investigated the incident. [CompuServe message from Glenda Hess, BLRI, 7/5]
Early on the morning of July 13th, M.F., 36, of Montebello, Virginia, was travelling south on the parkway at milepost 34.6 when she lost control of her vehicle, which went off the roadway. M.F. then over corrected, whereupon the car spun back across the roadway and struck a large rock. M.F. was thrown from the vehicle and killed. Ranger Lew Rogers is investigating. [Larry Freeman, LES, BLRI, via telefax from Steve Alscher, RAD/SERO, 7/16]
During the early morning hours of July 31st, three concession employees at the Peaks of Otter Lodge were arrested by rangers Paula Wells and Gene Parker for stealing food from the lodge's kitchen freezer and delivery area. Such thefts had apparently been going on for some time. The thieves took prime steaks, crab legs, lobsters and shrimp valued at between $6,000 and $8,000. An additional accomplice was later arrested in Bedford, Virginia. All four are currently in the Bedford jail. [CompuServe message from Howard Parr, CR, BLRI, 8/1]
Just after noon on September 1st, S.S., 54, of McLeansville, North Carolina, died from injuries suffered when she fell from the top of a 50-foot cliff in the park. Preliminary investigation by rangers indicates that the fall was accidental. Her husband was nearby at the time of the incident. [Telefax from Steve Alscher, LES, RAD/SERO, 9/4]
Just after 4:00 a.m. on the morning of August 25th, rangers Dirk Wiley and Bobby Miller responded to a call from a visitor at Peaks of Otter campground who complained about shots being fired in the vicinity. When the rangers arrived, they spotted a car with a .22 caliber rifle inside and blood smeared on its rear. They saw a light moving through the woods and soon apprehended two men whose boots, clothes and hands were covered with blood. A third man was taken into custody a little later. The trio E.P., W.A., Jr., and D.D., all from local towns admitted to killing a doe and fawn after spotlighting them with the headlights of their car. The three were arrested and charged with violations of state and federal laws for spotlighting and poaching. [CompuServe message from Glenda Hess, BLRI]
On the morning of August 25th, rangers arrested E.P., W.A., Jr., and D.D., all from local towns, for spotlighting and for killing a doe and fawn near Peaks of Otter campground, which was crowded with campers. Peters was subsequently found guilty of both charges as well as a third charge of recklessly handling a firearm. W.A. and D.D. were convicted of spotlighting. On October 7th, a Bedford County judge sentenced E.P. to eight months in jail and suspended his hunting privileges for 13 years. W.A. and D.D. received three month jail terms and had their hunting privileges suspended for three years. The three men were also told to pay a total of $1,000 to replace the animals. The judge ordered authorities to destroy a lantern, knives and the gun the trio was using. The three men face related charges in Federal district court in Roanoke later this month. [CompuServe message from Howard Parr, CR, BLRI, 10/10]
Just before 9:00 a.m. on the morning of October 25th, two hikers reported a car burning at Devil's Gordon overlook. Responding rangers found a car on fire and a body about 30 feet away. Rangers, Allegany County sheriff's deputies and Winston-Salem police officers are investigating. Suicide is suspected. [Larry Freeman, BLRI, via telefax from Steve Alscher, LES, RAD/SERO, 10/25]
B.L.J., 47, of Copper Hill, Virginia, was killed in a one vehicle accident on the parkway on the afternoon of January 9th. B.L.J. was not wearing a seatbelt and was thrown from her car. Although she survived the accident, B.L.J. later died during surgery. No further details are available. [Larry Freeman, BLRI, via telefax from Bill Springer, RAD/SERO, 1/10]
On the morning of April 20th, more than 50 vehicles were involved in two chain-reaction collisions in heavy fog on Interstate 64 on Afton Mountain near the parkway. Two people were killed and about 40 people were taken to at least four area hospitals with a variety of injuries. Rangers and park maintenance personnel from both Shenandoah and Blue Ridge responded and provided assistance with traffic control. Responding from Blue Ridge were rangers Bruce Bytnar, Allan Morris and Paula Rakes and maintenance workers David Clark, Roger Jenkins and Patrick Morrison. [CompuServe message from Larry Freeman, BLRI, 4/20]
M.C., 23, of Blue Ridge, Virginia, was killed on the evening of May 2nd when his car rolled over at milepost 96 and he was thrown from the vehicle. He was taken to a hospital in Roanoke and placed on life support, but died the following morning. Preliminary investigation indicates the accident may be alcohol-related. [Larry Freeman, BLRI, via telefax from Marcella Gibson, RAD/SERO, 5/4]
J.W.D., 80, of Danville, Virginia, was killed on the afternoon of May 16th when his vehicle left the roadway near milepost 186 and struck a tree. The accident is under investigation. [Telefax from Marcella Gibson, RAD/SERO, 5/18]
A team comprised of units from the park, Virginia State Police, and Floyd County sheriff's office discovered and eradicated 86 marijuana plants in the park's Rocky Knob district over the weekend. The estimated street value of the plants has been placed at $15,000. [Steve Alscher, RLES, RAD/SERO, 6/29]
On the afternoon of July 15th, M.P., 25, of Palatka, Florida, and his father were riding on separate motorcycles on the parkway when M.P. entered a sharp curve, lost control of his bike, and went over an embankment into trees and rocks. He suffered head injuries, a broken neck and other internal injuries. His father and an EMT at the site administered CPR, but were unable to resuscitate him. [Larry Freeman, BLRI, 7/16]
M.C., 30, of Arlington, Texas, was hiking on or near Flat Top trail at Peaks of Otter on August 11th when he was caught in a severe lightning storm. A bolt of lightning hit him and he fell and struck his head on a rock. Hikers found M.C.'s body the following day. [Larry Freeman, BLRI, 8/13]
S.K., 21, of Juliet, Illinois, was visiting the Linville Falls area with some friends on the afternoon of August 20th when he decided to climb the almost vertical rock face on the right side of the falls. He was some 60 to 70 feet up the rock face when he slipped and fell to his death on the rocks below. Rescue units from three counties responded to the accident scene and assisted rangers with the carryout. Sheriff's deputies and rangers investigated the accident. [Steve Alscher, RLES, RAD/SERO, 8/21]
A.K., Jr., 71, was killed in a single vehicle accident near Sheep's Gap on September 4th when his car plunged 150 feet over a steep embankment. He was found by a ranger at 9:30 that evening. He was pronounced dead at the scene of multiple injuries. [Steve Smith, RAD/SERO, 9/8]
Just after 3 a.m. on October 16th, K.S., an Ashe County deputy sheriff, was travelling north on the parkway when he noticed a beam of light sweeping across a pasture at Alder Gap, then saw a pickup pull out from the left side grassy shoulder and head northbound at a high rate of speed. K.S. activated his blue lights and began pursuit. As K.S. neared the truck, he saw the passenger lean out of the window with a rifle and aim it at his patrol vehicle. Although K.S. didn't hear the weapon's report, he saw a flash and immediately stopped his car. After notifying his dispatcher, K.S. resumed pursuit, caught up with the pickup shortly thereafter, and followed from a safer distance. The passenger was still hanging out of the window and fired three quick shots at K.S.'s car, hitting it in the front bumper and the driver's side mirror. K.S. immediately stopped. He continued after a few minutes, but was unable to find the truck again. Meanwhile, ten patrol units from five agencies responded to provide backup and help find the truck. The parkway, state roads and rural unpaved roads were checked carefully, but no sign of the vehicle was found. A joint investigation was begun into the incident. [Case incident report, BLRI]
More reports have been received regarding the impacts of the "winter hurricane" which struck the East Coast last weekend. Many parks, particularly in Southeast Region, reported minor damage, particularly downed trees. The more significant reports follow: * Blue Ridge - At the time of the report yesterday, the park was still snowbound with 10 to 15 foot drifts. Power is out in many places. Damage assessments are underway. [Bill Springer, RAD/SERO; Pat Tolle, EVER; Jason Houck, GRSM; Chuck Taylor, GUCO; 3/16]
On April 27th, ranger Tom Sallese received an anonymous tip regarding a "moonshine" distillery operating adjacent to the park's boundary in the Rocky Knob District. Rangers joined Floyd County deputies and officers from the Virginia Alcohol Beverage Commission in a 24-hour stakeout of the area which resulted in the arrest of three people on the morning of April 30th. The incident is still being investigated. Charges are pending. [Glenda Hess, BLRI, 4/30]
Sometime late on the night of July 31st or early on the morning of August 1st, a 1993 Chevrolet pickup truck being driven by T.U. of Greensboro, North Carolina, went off the parkway near milepost 275 and struck a tree. The accident was not discovered until a maintenance worker came upon it around 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning. T.U. was pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation is underway. [CRO, BLRI, 8/2]
G.M. of Fairfield, Pennsylvania, suffered critical injuries when the recreational vehicle being driven by his wife, V., left the parkway, went over an embankment and struck a large tree on the afternoon of August 1st. Both M.S were airlifted to a hospital in Roanoke. G.M. died of massive internal injuries during emergency surgery. An investigation is underway. [CRO, BLRI, 8/2]
Just after 6 p.m. on July 31st, rangers received a report that two people had fallen at the Upper Falls on the Linville River and found a 12-year-old girl and her 47-year-old father clinging to a small ledge in the chute between the upper and lower falls. Two local rescue squads responded. The man and his daughter were rescued without incident, and neither was injured. According to eyewitness accounts, the girl slipped and fell into the river, and was underwater for as long as 30 seconds before her father was able to reach her. They then hugged a rock ledge until rescued. The entire event was videotaped by other visitors, who've said that they're going to send the tape in to "Rescue 911." [Larry Freeman, BLRI, 8/5]
D.A. and M.R., both 23, were arrested for drug possession near Thunder Ridge overlook on August 3rd. The two men had a set of scales, baggies and an ounce of marijuana in their possession, and were weighing the latter for sale when apprehended. M.R. has been released on $10,000 bond, D.A. on $5,000 bond. A preliminary hearing is set for August 13th. [Larry Freeman, BLRI, 8/5]
R.D.W. of Vinton, Virginia, was arrested on August 13th for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. The incident began when a ranger contacted West regarding an alcohol violation, and eventually lead to the discovery that R.D.W. was in possession of marijuana and over $1,500 in cash. Bond was set at $20,000. R.D.W. was still in jail at the time of the report. [Larry Freeman, BLRI, 8/16]
On August 15th, a 33-year-old wrecker operator was in the process of removing a vehicle from a steep embankment near the parkway when he collapsed and went into a seizure. Ranger Paula Wells, a certified cardiac technician, was handling the investigation; following a medical assessment of the situation, Well attempted to start an IV on the wrecker driver. The effort failed when the operator went into severe convulsions and pulled the IV from his arm. It eventually took seven people to hold the patient down so Wells could continue her work and restart the IV. The situation became more grave when all vital signs were lost and could not be monitored even with the equipment that arrived on the responding ambulance. Wells continued her work on the patient, though, and was rewarded with a response a few minutes later. She continued to maintain the patient until he was stabilized enough for transport. The wrecker operator was conscious when he was admitted to Lynchburg General Hospital, and was in stable condition at the time of the report. [Larry Freeman, BLRI, 8/20]
On the afternoon of August 29th, J.J., 32, of Canton, North Carolina, struck ranger Tony Welch in the face with his right hand when Welch attempted to retrieve a marijuana plant that J.J. had stashed in rhododendron near Woodfin Cascades overlook. After a ten-yard chase, Welch tackled J.J., and both men rolled down an embankment. J.J. again attempted to flee, but stopped on Welch's command. J.J. was taken into custody and charged with assault on a federal officer, interfering with agency functions, and simple possession of marijuana. He's since been released on a $25,000 unsecured bond. Welch sustained a split lip and a large abrasion to his right knee. The area where the incident occurred is being searched for a possible marijuana patch. [Art Frederick, BLRI, 8/31]
Members of a park maintenance crew smelled smoke while traveling south on the parkway on the afternoon of August 19th and subsequently discovered a burned motor vehicle down a very steep embankment. Members of the crew climbed down to the vehicle and found a body in the driver's seat. Rangers were called to the scene, and they determined that the victim was C.C. of Norfolk, Virginia. An investigation into the cause of the accident was underway at the time of the report. [Larry Freeman, BLRI, 8/20]
P.W., 27, of Asheville, North Carolina, was heading north on the parkway on the evening of August 21st when he lost control of his motorcycle, left the roadway, traveled about 70 feet, and hit a tree. P.W. was pronounced dead at the scene. Speed was a major factor in the accident. [Larry Freeman, BLRI, 8/24]
D.D. of Ontario, Canada, was riding his motorcycle on the parkway near Roanoke on August 29th when ranger Charles Johnson clocked him at a speed in excess of 60 mph. Johnson attempted to stop him, but D.D. sped away through dense traffic at greatly increased speed. Johnson called ahead for assistance, and D.D. was eventually stopped by ranger Bob Milliron. Ranger John Boone soon arrived as backup. D.D. proved extremely uncooperative and combative. He bit Boone on the finger and hand, causing a deep wound, and also stomped Milliron's toes in an attempt to incapacitate him. D.D.'s combativeness ended abruptly when Johnson used his ASP baton two times on D.D.'s exposed shin. D.D. them became compliant and was taken into custody. The magistrate set a $25,000 secured bond for D.D., who remains in jail awaiting trial at this time. [Larry Freeman, BLRI, 9/2]
A visitor and his family were picnicking on a grassy roadside in the Rocky Knob District on September 19th when a man with a ski mask approached them from the nearby woods, pointed a shotgun at them, and demanded their money, watches, rings and other valuables. The visitor told the would-be robber that they had no money or other valuables, that the only possessions they had with them were the spare tire and jack in the trunk of the car, and that he was welcome to those if he so desired. Upon receipt of this information, the masked man retreated through the woods to a dirt road outside the park boundary, jumped into his vehicle, and sped away. Local authorities are handling the investigation in conjunction with an investigation of similar incidents in neighboring counties. [Larry Freeman, CRO, BLRI, 9/22]
Rangers received a report of a motor vehicle accident about ten miles south of Mt. Pisgah on September 20th. Upon arrival, they found a Ford pickup truck which had run off the roadway and struck a tree. The body of 18-year- old J.A. was lying on the seat of the vehicle on top of a .22 caliber pistol. A suicide note was later found in his wallet. The incident is still under investigation by rangers and local authorities. [Larry Freeman, CRO, BLRI, 9/22]
John B. Carter, Jr., 49, a maintenance mechanic for the Peaks of Otter/Valley District, suffered a heart attack and died at his home during the early evening hours of October 2nd. Funeral services are to be conducted at 11 a.m. this morning. John had worked for the Service since 1962. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca, two married daughters, and a seven-year-old son. The family requests that donations in lieu of flowers be made to Sarah White for her medical expenses; they should be sent to her care of Northside Supply, Route 43 North, Bedford, VA 24523. [Marvin Tucker, BLRI, 10/4]
W.A. of Independence, Virginia, was killed in a motor vehicle accident on the parkway late on the evening of October 8th. Rangers are investigating the accident; no further details are available. [Larry Freeman, BLRI, 10/18]
While checking a jeep which had been parked near the steep cliffs at milepost 425 for an extended period of time, rangers contacted P.R. and A.R. of Aiken, South Carolina. Both appeared to be under the influence of alcohol and/or some controlled substance. During the encounter, Pruitt P.R. became argumentative and uncooperative and refused to leash his growling German shepherd, which he claimed would bite on command. After convincing P.R. to put the dog in the jeep, the rangers conducted a patdown on P.R. and found a handgun in his pants underneath his jacket and marijuana in his pocket. P.R. again became uncooperative; at one point, he took a defensive stance, saying that he was ex-military and knew judo. He was eventually handcuffed and seatbelted in the rear of a patrol vehicle. While the rangers began the process of arresting A.R., P.R. freed himself from the seatbelt and began kicking, yelling and screaming. Although sprayed with oleoresin capsicum (OC), P.R. was able to kick out the rear door window and exit face first through the window. He was sprayed again with OC, but was able to leap over the steep, rocky embankment. Ranger finally located him about 100 feet down from the top. He was strapped to a litter, winched to the top, taken to a local medical facility for treatment of his minor injuries, then taken to jail. Seven charges were filed against P.R. and three more against A.R. [CRO, BLRI, 10/28]
Dr. J.C. was driving on the parkway early on the evening of November 19th when he lost control of his vehicle on Belcher Curve and ran off the roadway. The vehicle overturned , skidded down the road, and struck a large tree. His wife, H.M.C., was pronounced dead at the scene. Dr. J.C. was taken to a local hospital. It is not clear whether either of the C.s was wearing a seatbelt. [CRO, BLRI, 11/23]
The Sims House, a historic structure in the Bluffs District, was lost due to fire on the night of November 26th. Rangers and members of the Blowing Rock fire department responded, but suppression efforts proved fruitless because the structure was completely engulfed in flames when the first unit arrived on scene. Preliminary investigation reveals that accelerants may have been used at two locations to start the fire. There are no suspects at this time. The fire is being jointly investigated by rangers and the Watauga County fire marshall. [CRO, BLRI, 12/1]
While checking a vehicle parked in an overlook on the evening of March 7th, rangers discovered that L.E., 26, of Asheville, North Carolina, had ingested approximately 50 anti-depressant pills. A suicide note was also found on the front seat of her vehicle. L.E. was immediately taken to a local hospital, where the medical staff concluded that the rangers' quick response had provided them with a critical window of time enabling them to successfully treat her condition. [CRO, BLRI, 3/10]
J.M., 21, of Norfolk, Virginia, fell 75 feet while climbing Humpback Rocks in the James River District on April 23rd and suffered serious skull and arm fractures. She was transported by Lifeflight helicopter to the University of Virginia hospital in Charlottesville, where she is being treated for her injuries. [CRO, BLRI, 5/2]
A park dispatcher heading home from work at 10 p.m. on May 8th discovered a two car collision on the parkway access road near Asheville, North Carolina. Three of the occupants were dead, a fourth was in critical condition. Rangers are investigating. No further details are yet available. [Bill Springer, RCR, RAD/SERO, 5/9]
Around 10:15 p.m. on May 9th, S.M., 39, of Swannanoa, North Carolina, was killed then the '93 S-10 Chevrolet pickup she was driving collided with an '88 Hyundai Excel on the parkway near the U.S. Highway 74 east access ramp. The driver of the Excel, Martha White, 23, of Asheville, North Carolina, was also killed, and the vehicle was engulfed in flames. The passengers in the truck, R.T., 50, and his daughter, L.T., 19, both of Swannanoa, were taken by air and ground ambulance to a hospital in Asheville. R.T. subsequently died of his injuries; as of last Monday, L.T. was listed in critical condition with severe internal injuries. Preliminary indications are that speed and alcohol were contributing factors. The investigation is continuing. [CRO, BLRI, 5/13]
During the week of May 9th, the Tour DuPont bicycle race was held on several sections of the parkway. Approximately 130 professional bicyclists participated in the race, which was viewed by several thousand people. The event was managed under the incident command system. Traffic and crowd control were the major problems associated with the event. [CRO, BLRI, 5/17]
On April 11th, L.L., Jr. 31, was tried in state court for first degree rape, first degree sexual offenses and first degree kidnapping - charges which stemmed from an incident which occurred near and in the park on August 24, 1993. L.L. entered a plea of guilty on two counts and was sentenced to two "natural life" terms in prison, neither of which have provisions for parole. L.L., who was a yard man at a residence in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, had approached a woman who was cleaning the same house, showed her a revolver, sexually assaulted her, and threatened her with bodily harm if she did not leave with him. L.L. took her to his home, handcuffed her to a table, loaded clothing, suitcases and camping equipment into his car, then drove to the parkway, entering at Shoals Mill Road. After parking the car near milepost 306, he set up his tent, forced her inside, and twice assaulted her. While L.L. was packing up to leave, the woman ran to the road and flagged down a passing motorist. The motorist took her to the Linn Cove Visitor Center, where rangers and local deputies took her report. L.L.'a vehicle was soon discovered and a manhunt was initiated which involved about 45 rangers and officers from numerous city and county departments. L.L. was located and taken into custody late that night. [CRO, BLRI, 5/12 and 5/20]
Late on the morning of May 25th, two park maintenance workers found the body of 50-year-old D.W. of Lynchburg, Virginia, lying in the middle of the Whites Gap overlook. The cause of death at this time appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest. Upon investigation, it was found that D.W. had been despondent, had a history of suicide threats, and was receiving professional counseling. There's no indication of foul play. [CRO, BLRI, 5/26]
A twin-engined plane crashed in the "China Orchard" of the Moses Cone Estate around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 19th. The plane was being tracked by Customs aircraft at the time of the crash, and a large quantity of marijuana and hashish were found at the crash site in parts of the plane that broke away from the main section, which burned upon impact. Thus far, no pilot has been found in the plane or around the crash site. A search is underway to locate him or her. Rangers and Customs officials are conducting the investigation. [CRO, BLRI, 6/20]
A group of at least four motorcycles was heading north on the parkway on June 22nd when trailing cyclist S.P. pulled out into the on-coming lane at a high rate of speed, passed two other motorcycles in a no passing zone, then collided with H.A., who was making a left turn on his cycle. S.P. and H.A. were thrown from their Harleys, and H.A.'s passenger, L.S., was trapped under both bikes and dragged about 60 feet. L.S. and H.A. were evacuated to helicopter to a hospital in Roanoke, Virginia; S.P. was transported there by ambulance. L.S. remains in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. Alcohol and possibly drugs may have been contributing factors. Most of those involved in the accident were members of the Southern Sons motorcycle gang. S.P. was seeking membership, and was reportedly trying to impress the group. [CRO, BLRI, 6/23]
W.D. of Lansdale, Pennsylvania, was northbound on the parkway near Mt. Pisgah on the afternoon of July 15th when he lost control of his motorcycle as he entered the Fork Mountain tunnel, veered across the center line, struck the corner of a southbound auto, then crossed the northbound lane and struck the tunnel wall. W.D. was evacuated by air to a hospital in Asheville, where he was pronounced dead. There were no injuries in the auto. [CRO, BLRI, 7/19]
On the afternoon of July 16th, seasonal ranger Bob Milliron saw a car being driven very erratically on the parkway near Roanoke, Virginia. When Milliron attempted to stop the vehicle, the operator, later identified as D.G., 30, sped up and left the parkway at the first intersection. Milliron followed and called local city and county units for assistance. Following a 30 minute pursuit through back roads and city streets, during which D.G. went through two road blocks, Milliron was able to block the vehicle in a cul-de-sac within the city. D.G. got out of his vehicle at the same time as Milliron exited his patrol vehicle. When Milliron told him to move away from his vehicle, D.G. instead jumped back in and drove directly at Milliron, missing him by only inches as he hugged the side of his patrol vehicle. All units were advised, and the chase resumed. D.G. was eventually able to jump from his vehicle and run into the woods and was still at large at the time of the report. Arrest warrants have been issued by all involved agencies. [CRO, BLRI, 7/18]
On August 5th, D.S., 27, of Ontario, Canada, was heading northbound on his motorcycle when he entered a long, sharp, right-handed curve near mile post 19, crossed the center line, and struck the right front end of a southbound Ford Crown Victoria pulling a pop-up camper trailer. D.S. was thrown about 50 feet down an embankment. Two rangers were on scene within five minutes and local rescue units soon arrived. Due to the severity of D.S.'s injuries, attempts were made to fly him to the University of Virginia Trauma Center, but local storms and patchy fog in the area prevented the helicopter from landing. D.S. was therefore transported by ambulance to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. There were no injuries in the Crown Victoria. [CRO, BLRI, 8/8]
On August 21st, a 24-year-old man from Roanoke, Virginia, was traveling northbound on the parkway when his 1993 Hyundai left the roadway and struck a large tree. While still sitting in his vehicle, the driver fatally shot himself with an automatic shotgun. The incident is still under investigation. [CRO, BLRI, 8/22]
On the morning of August 27th, M.Z., 18, of Brevard, North Carolina, was found lying next to his 1983 Honda Accord with a fatal gunshot wound in his chest. A suicide note was also found at the scene. An investigation is underway. [CRO, BLRI, 8/30]
J.M. and T.M. were both very seriously injured in a two vehicle accident which occurred at milepost 430.1 on the parkway on September 11th. T.M. was subsequently pronounced dead at a local hospital; her husband, J.M. was treated for a broken shoulder and lacerations. According to the preliminary investigation report, J.M. was heading north on the parkway on his motorcycle when he crossed the centerline and collided with a southbound Ford Bronco. Both drivers attempted to avoid the collision, but were unsuccessful. No one in the Bronco was injured. [CRO, BLRI, 9/12]
Five individuals in a truck parked along the parkway on the evening of September 13th got into a physical altercation. Two of them - A.S., 25, and P.W., 37, both of Swannanoa, North Carolina - continued fighting as they got out of the vehicle, and Williams sustained a stab wound in her lower left leg. A park ranger who'd just concluded his shift was passing by when the incident occurred; he took control of the scene and radioed for assistance. Deputies, rangers and EMS personnel responded. P.W. was transported and received medical attention; A.S. was arrested and charged with several offenses, including assault. Alcohol was a contributing factor. [CRO, BLRI, 9/18]
Around 1:20 a.m. on September 13th, the Waynesboro police department advised rangers that several park visitors had reported being shot at while sitting at the Shenandoah Valley overlook earlier that evening. While rangers from the James River District were responding, Waynesboro officers stopped a suspect vehicle and found a .22 caliber revolver and several discharged shell casings. Following an interview, one suspect was charged under state and federal codes. No one was injured. The case is under investigation; additional felony charges are expected after consultation with the U.S. Attorney's Office. [CRO, BLRI, 9/23]
On the morning of October 10th, rangers received a report that three persons matching the description of three suspects involved in an armed robbery in Waynesboro, Virginia, had stopped at a small grocery store near the parkway. While en route to check the report, ranger Mark Gall saw the vehicle enter the parkway at mile post 16 and head south. Gall called for backup and followed the vehicle at a distance. When the suspects pulled into Slacks overlook near mile post 20, Gall made a felony stop and held the trio in their vehicle until backup arrived. Investigation revealed that the vehicle had stolen license plates on it, and another set of stolen plates were found on the front floor board. Also found in the vehicle were three handguns - a .38 revolver, a .45 automatic , and a .380 automatic. All these weapons had been stolen from a gun store in Waynesboro the week before. The suspects were turned over to Waynesboro police. Other state and federal charges are pending. [CRO, BLRI, 10/14]
In the early morning hours of October 7th, the park received a report of an accident at mile post six. Ranger Mark Gall met a Wintergreen police officer at the scene, and found that the latter had been flagged down by a person later identified as A.R., who had reported that he'd wrecked his vehicle. Upon further investigation, Gall and the Wintergreen officer found that A.R. was carrying a loaded .25 automatic pistol on his person, that there was a loaded .32 caliber revolver in a driver's door pocket and a loaded and cocked .30-.30 rifle elsewhere in the vehicle, and that A.R. was a felon with convictions for kidnapping, aggravated assault, burglary and other crimes. At the time of the report, A.R. was being held pending an initial appearance. He could face 15 years in prison without parole or probation under enhanced sentencing guidelines. [CRO, BLRI, 10/14]
Rangers from the Gillespie Gap District, working with two North Carolina wildlife officers, set up a dummy deer at the edge of the parkway last week in response to reports of an individual spotlighting and hunting in the park. At 1:15 am on December 7th, a pickup with two people in it passed the deer decoy. The driver turned the truck and aimed its lights at the decoy; the passenger then got out and fired a single shot at it. A chase ensued and culminated in the arrest of the driver, a security guard at a local firm. Neither the passenger nor the weapon were in the vehicle. The rifle was subsequently found in the woods near the scene of the incident. Charges brought before the magistrate included illegal hunting in the park, failure to stop, and making false statements to an officer. [CRO, BLRI, 12/9]
On the morning of January 11th, district ranger Bruce Bytnar responded to a report of a motor vehicle accident and found a Ford Escort on its roof over an embankment. The operator, A.A. of Waynesboro, Virginia, said that he'd been run off the road by another vehicle. C.M., the passenger in the vehicle, had left the scene. Although A.A. had only minor injuries and said C.M. was uninjured, large amounts of blood were found in the Escort. A closer examination of the blood led to the discovery of what appeared to be deer hair and feces. The area was searched the following morning, and the carcasses of three deer were fond down the embankment below the Escort. Fresh blood trails led from the trunk of the vehicle to each of the deer. One deer appeared to have been shot with a large caliber weapon, the other two with smaller caliber weapons. Various types of live ammunition and shell casings were found in the vehicle. Following questioning and presentation of evidence from the scene, A.A. and C.M. confessed to illegally taking and transporting the deer. The investigation is continuing; other charges are probable. [CRO, BLRI, 1/13]
Over 15 inches of rain fell over the northern mountains of western North Carolina on January 13th and 14th, swelling rivers and streams beyond their banks and causing erosion to developed areas along the parkway and damage to structures in the Linville Falls area. Saturated soils and wind caused many trees to topple. Road shoulders at several locations gave way, leaving the parkway with no support on the downhill side. The Linville Falls area had just been rehabilitated following the 14 inches of rain that fell there during a two-day period last August. A state of emergency was declared in mountain counties, and rangers assisted officers in directing parkway visitors to homes and shelters. Several sections of the roadway remain closed due to hazardous road conditions caused by fallen trees and rocks. [CRO, BLRI, 1/17]
During the January 15th weekend, rangers, county deputies and law enforcement agents from the Pisgah National Forest conducted a joint operation to combat a growing problem of sexual misconduct in the Bent Creek recreation area. Two rangers from Chattahoochee were detailed to the park to assist with the operation. Twenty-six individuals were charged with soliciting for sexual acts and arrested under state statutes for solicitation to commit a felony. Several arrests were also made for possession of controlled substances. [CRO, BLRI, 1/18]
On November 26, 1994, rangers in the Peaks/Valley District came upon the carcass of a seven-point buck which had been shot the previous night. Surveillance of the area was begun, and a freshly killed nine-point buck was found the next night. Four individuals who returned to retrieve the deer were arrested. On February 16th, J.B., who was identified as the man who shot the deer, pled guilty in federal court to two counts of illegally taking wildlife, was sentenced to 48 hours in prison, and was ordered to pay $3,100 in restitution to the parkway and $500 in fines. State charges are still pending, and could result in additional jail time, fines and forfeiture of weapons. [CR, BLRI, 2/27]
Early on the morning of July 9, 1994, ranger Helen Phillips received a report of an armed robbery that had occurred at the Thunder Hill overlook and had been reported to police in Blowing Rock. The two victims reported that two men had approached them, one holding a knife and the other a club, and had demanded and taken money from them. They were able to provide accurate descriptions of their assailants. Shortly thereafter, town police received a report of four men knocking on motel doors, requesting the use of a jack to change a tire. Phillips, and ranger Gene Redmon responded with local officers and the robbery victims; the latter were able to identify their assailants - J.H. and B.P. - and B.P. later confessed to participating in the robbery. J.H. and B.P. were both found guilty of robbery and assault with a deadly weapon. J.H. was recently sentenced to five years in federal prison and three years of supervised probation, and ordered to pay restitution to the victims and their court-appointed lawyer's fees. B.P.'s sentence is set for a later date. [CRO, BLRI, 3/4]
A visitor who stopped at a parkway overlook near Linville, North Carolina, at 10 a.m. on April 4th discovered a body in a nearby laurel thicket. Rangers and county and state investigators closed off the area and conducted a crime scene search. The victim, who was between 18 and 20 years old, had been shot numerous times at close range. The time of death was within six hours of the discovery of the body. Initial evidence suggests that the homicide occurred at the overlook and that the body was thrown over the side. [CRO, BLRI, 4/20]
On April 20th, a single-car accident occurred at milepost 223 in which the operator was severely injured and the passenger was killed after being ejected through the vehicle's sun roof opening. Evidence revealed that the vehicle was traveling at a speed in excess of 100 mph when the driver lost control and hit a tree. Alcohol appears to have been a contributing factor. The driver remains in critical condition. [CRO, BLRI, 4/25]
On May 17th, a motel owner who cut 22 trees (seven of them over 22 inches in diameter) and constructed a road across park property was tried in magistrate's court and found guilty. G.M. was ordered to pay $2,500 for each violation and $67,538 for resource damage, investigation, and restoration costs. Will Orr, the park's landscape architect, testified to the value of the trees, using a formula derived from the International Society of Arboriculturists' Guide to Plant Appraisal. Factors considered in the case included the age of the trees, the park's recorded history of protecting the trees, and the trees' role as a visual screen. Assistant U.S. attorney Tom Ascik prosecuted the case. [CRO, BLRI, 5/22]
On May 22nd, rangers Bruce Bytnar and Mark Gall were conducting surveillance at the Humpback Gap parking lot, where a number of car clouts had occurred during the previous month, when they saw G.J., 19, and H.J., 37, both of Charlottesville, break into two vehicles and take a purse and portable CD player. The pair was arrested. Johnson, a "career criminal" who specializes in breaking into vehicles, has an extensive criminal history, including statutory rape, cocaine distribution, grand larceny, breaking and entering, petty larceny and tampering with motor vehicles. [CRO, BLRI, 5/30]
Two visitors were critically injured in the early morning hours of May 14th when a Toyota pickup swerved into the Lanes Pinnacle overlook, passed between the guardrail and the vehicle the visitors had just exited, struck them, and forced two other visitors to jump over the embankment. The Toyota then continued northward on the parkway. The driver, J.B. of Asheville, called a local sheriff's department a few hours later and reported the accident. J.B. was subsequently arrested; rangers filed multiple charges against him. Alcohol was a contributing factor. [CRO, BLRI, 5/19]
Early on the morning of May 16th, a visitor reported discovering the body of a woman at the Roanoke River overlook. The responding ranger found that T.A., 24, of Roanoke, had died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A 12-page note was found in her vehicle. [CRO, BLRI, 5/18]
Just after midnight on June 17th, S.T. lost control of his 1987 Ford pickup near milepost 284, crashed into a large tree, and was killed. Although the investigation is as yet incomplete, excessive speed has been ruled as a contributing factor. [CRO, BLRI, 6/19]
Heavy rains caused flooding at the Otter Creek campground on the evening of June 22nd. About 25 visitors and their vehicles were stranded by the creek's rising waters. At the tim of the report, crews were trying to reach them. The campground's fee kiosk was flooded, and the bridge to the area was underwater. [Bill Spring, RAD/SERO, 6/23]
On June 23rd, a ranger checking a vehicle parked on the roadside discovered that its engine was running, that all the doors were locked, and that it was occupied by an older woman. The ranger broke out a window and gained access to the vehicle. A quick check of vital signs revealed that she'd been dead for some time. Investigators subsequently determined that the victim, J.J., 66, of Little Switzerland, North Carolina, had been suffering from terminal cancer and had overdosed on a variety of prescription and non- prescription pills. [CRO, BLRI]
Five people in two vehicles were injured in varying degrees in a two-vehicle accident on the parkway on July 1st. One of the passengers, E.M., 85, of Asheville, North Carolina, subsequently died from chest and abdominal trauma. Preliminary investigation indicates that the operator of a Nissan pickup truck lost control of his truck while going through a curve and collided head on with the vehicle in which E.M. was riding. [CRO, BLRI]
During the early morning hours of July 5th, rangers responded to a reported vehicle accident and found a heavily damaged but unoccupied 1994 Chevrolet pickup truck at the scene. Evidence revealed that there were at least two occupants, that the driver had probably sustained chest injuries, and that the passenger's head struck the dash upon impact. Alcohol, a small quantity of drugs, and marijuana distribution equipment were recovered from the vehicle. Rangers subsequently learned that the vehicle had been stolen from Galax, Virginia. The investigation continues. [CRO, BLRI]
A local sheriff's department has made an arrest in the investigation of a murder which occurred at a parkway overlook on April 4th. The suspect is from the same eastern North Carolina town as the victim. He was traced to acquaintances in western North Carolina through cellular telephone call records. A park ranger who has worked closely with the state's bureau of investigation and the county since the incident may have identified the suspect as an individual he spoke with shortly after the crime scene was cleared back in April. The suspect was driving the victim's vehicle (the victim's identity was then unknown) when the ranger contacted him. [CRO, BLRI]
On July 12th, J.M., 23, of Harrisonburg, Virginia, suffered a broken leg and head trauma in a fall near White Rock Falls. He was carried out by rangers and members of a local rescue squad and flown to the University of Virginia Hospital to undergo surgery. Rangers determined that J.M. and two companions had been camping illegally and consuming alcohol at that location since early the previous evening. [CRO, BLRI]
On July 9th, a ranger was called by a person who said that his vehicle had been stolen and left at an unknown location within the Rocky Knob District. The heavily damaged vehicle was found at milepost 176. Investigation revealed that a juvenile had stolen the vehicle and wrecked it on the parkway, and that he'd also wrecked his own car earlier that day. Rangers found that vehicle several miles from the location where the stolen vehicle was discovered. The subject faces several felony and misdemeanor charges in federal and state courts. Alcohol was a contributing factor. [CRO, BLRI]
On the afternoon of July 16th, a thunderstorm which passed over the Linville Falls area produced heavy rains and frequent lightning strikes. Seven visitors walking along the Erwins View trail were injured when lightning struck a tree adjacent to the trail. Rangers treated and transported them to the visitor center about a half mile away, where ambulances were waiting. As of July 17th, six had been treated and released and the seventh was being held for further care. [CRO, BLRI]
P.L., a 17-year-old non-swimmer from nearby Salem, Virginia, was playing on the edge of the Roanoke River on the evening of August 2nd when he slipped into a pool some 15 feet deep. His father and brother tried to rescue him, but could not hold him due to the current, which pulled the boy under. A local dive team recovered his body later that evening. [CRO, BLRI]
D.V., 57, and his wife, P.V., 54, of Vinton, Virginia were killed instantly on the afternoon of August 13th when the vehicle they were traveling in was involved in a head-on collision near milepost 118. The operator of the other vehicle, P.M., 21 of Chamblissburg, Virginia, was treated and released from Roanoke Memorial Hospital. P.M. said that he fell asleep at the wheel and found himself in the oncoming lane when he awoke. Alcohol was not a contributing factor. Several charges against P.M. are pending. [CRO, BLRI]
While driving to work on August 6th, ranger Tony Welch came upon a man holding a gallon container of antifreeze at the Soco Gap overlook - an area which had been under surveillance since June, when resource specialist Rebecca Silvers found several cups of antifreeze in the area. Welch asked the man, subsequently identified as V.T., if he'd been placing the containers of antifreeze in this area. V.T. affirmed that he had, saying that they were being used to collect a genus of beetles that he was studying. V.T. was arrested on charges of collecting without a permit, illegally taking wildlife, illegally possessing wildlife, and destroying natural resources. Shortly thereafter, ranger Darius Jones came upon a second man at the overlook. R.S., a Czech national who spoke little English, said that he was awaiting a friend. Jones subsequently determined that R.S. was V.T.'s assistant. R.S. was arrested on the same charges. During the investigation, rangers found field notes showing other collections sites in Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia - sixteen in national parks, six in national forests, ten in state parks, and five on private lands. The pair may also have collected in Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas; sites there are still under investigation. Some collection sites were marked with shredded white plastic bags, used as flagging. Each site had from six to 33, 16-ounce plastic cups filled with antifreeze. The cups were buried in the ground, with their tops level with the surface, and were covered with bark, rocks or boards. Indications are that larger mammals ingested the contents of some of the cups at each of the sites. V.T. and R.S. have since been convicted of illegal taking of wildlife; they have been banned from all NPS and USFS sites for six months (R.S.) to three years (V.T.), fined, and required to identify all collection sites, remove all containers, and surrender all specimens to the NPS. [Larry Freeman, Protection Specialist, BLRI]
Ranger Edward Clark and state game officers were patrolling a backcountry area of the Peaks/Valley District for ginseng poachers on September 2nd when they ran into S.P. of Writz, Virginia, who immediately threw a large duffel bag in some brush and began emptying his pockets. The duffel bag was found to contain about four pounds of marijuana. A search of the area led to the discovery of 15 large plants; more marijuana was found in a consent search of S.P.'s residence. He has been charged with felony possession with the intent to distribute and with manufacture of marijuana. [CRO, BLRI]
On the afternoon of September 17th, rangers Mark Gall and Herb Racker received a report that there had been a motor vehicle accident on Route 814 near the parkway and that the driver had gotten out of the vehicle and was walking around drinking a beer and firing a weapon. When they arrived at the scene, they found the man, later identified as G.B., 30, staggering down the road. The rangers employed a PA system to order him to stop; he failed to respond and continued to walk down the road. G.B. then turned toward them with a pistol in his hand. Gall and Racker got out of their patrol vehicle with their shotguns and ordered G.B. to put his gun down. G.B. instead raised the weapon to his head and shot himself. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigation revealed that G.B. was a felon with multiple convictions for sexually-related offenses. [CRO, BLRI]
On September 15th, ranger Zeph Cunningham spotted a vehicle believed to be owned by a person suspected of ginseng poaching and began surveillance of the area. The owner, subsequently identified as W.F., 39, of Waynesboro, soon returned, and was found to have 34 ginseng plants in his possession. W.F. permitted a search of his residence by Cunningham and a Forest Service law enforcement officer, and they discovered seeds and another 78 plants. W.F., a felon with multiple convictions, has been charged with an assortment of violations. [CRO, BLRI]
Reports have been received from more than a dozen parks affected by Hurricane Opal: * Blue Ridge - Many sections of the parkway are closed because of trees that have fallen across the road. Flooding has occurred in the northern portion of the parkway. Linville Falls has been evacuated; the Asheville and Gillespie Gap Districts are closed. Rockslides and mudslides have also been reported. [Jason Houck, CR, GRSM; Mark Lewis, DR, GUIS; Steve Hickman, IC, JELA; Jerry Eubanks, Superintendent, GUIS; Steve Smith and Bill Sturgeon, RAD/SEFO; Pat Reed, CHCH; Mary Jones, HOBE; Barbara Goodman, DESO; Greg Stiles, SHEN]
Three follow-up reports on Hurricane Opal have been received: Blue Ridge - Two sections of the parkway in the Asheville District remain closed. Visitors are using state highways to detour around the closed areas. All campgrounds, visitor centers and concession operations are back to normal operations. The parkway should be fully operational within a week. [Art Frederick, BLRI; Faye Johnson, HOBE; Connie Hudson Backlund, Superintendent, CARL]
Two more reports have been received on the effects of last week's blizzard on eastern parks: * Blue Ridge - The park received over 40 inches of snow and had drifts of from 10 to 12 feet in some areas of Virginia. Maintenance crews have had some success in removing snow at park employees' residences and district offices, but more snow (up to 10 inches) was forecast for Friday. The entire park is closed due to severe road conditions. [Greg Stiles, SHEN; CRO, BLRI]
Rangers in the Peaks/Valley District received a call from county police reporting that a body had been found in a vehicle at Stewards Knob overlook. The victim, T.D., 44, of Moneta, Virginia, had shot himself. A note was found at his residence. [CRO, BLRI]
On May 17, 1995, G.M., owner of a motel adjacent to the parkway, pled guilty in federal magistrate's court to constructing a road across park land and cutting down 22 trees which were on park property. The magistrate ordered G.M. to pay a fine of $2,500 for each offence, $3,100 to rehabilitate the area where the road was constructed, and $63,400 in restitution for the trees which he had cut down. G.M. appealed the restitution order. A federal district judge recently reviewed and upheld the magistrate's decision, having determined that the government established its loss by a preponderance of evidence. G.M.'s appeal was dismissed and he was ordered to pay the sum. The value of the trees was established through the testimony of William , the park's landscape architect. Orr testified that the "highest and best" use of the trees was to provide screening rather than lumber. The 1992 International Society of Arborculturist Guide to Plant Appraisal was used to determine the valuation; if "sawmill" valuation had been used, the amount would have been between $1,200 and $1,400 instead of $63,400. Anyone with questions about the formula that was used should contact William Orr at 704-271-4779 ext. 208. [CRO, BLRI]
Virginia state game and fisheries employees discovered human skeletal remains underneath the Roanoke River bridge near Vinton on February 21st. The remains have been positively identified as those of J.H., who was reported missing about 18 months ago. Examination of the scene indicated that J.H. fell 150 feet from the bridge and landed in heavy underbrush, which prevented ready discovery of his body. Foul play is not suspected. [BRO, BLRI]
Ranger Ken Gochenour received a report of two overdue hikers in the Hebron Falls area near Boone, North Carolina, around 9 p.m. on February 25th. Gochenour began a search of the area in conjunction with members of a local rescue squad. The hikers, K.W. and L.G., were found about a mile from the trailhead. Both were cold but otherwise in good condition. Woolard said that they'd begun their hike at 4:30 p.m., had become disoriented, and had been unable to find their way back. [CRO, BLRI]
Rangers received a report of a motor vehicle accident near mile post 7 on April 2nd and found an unoccupied vehicle located off the road and down a steep embankment. A check of the plate revealed that it had been stolen from a nearby jurisdiction on March 26th. It appears that the vehicle was dumped at the location within two days of the theft. An investigation is continuing. [CRO, BLRI]
C.P. and A.W., both of Waynesboro, Virginia, became lost when they took a different route to the top of Humpback Rocks than their boyfriends. C.P. reportedly had a kidney disorder which had hospitalized her in the past. A joint search by park staff and members of a local rescue squad was begun and continued through the night. Both women were found by a park search team at 7:25 am the following morning. They were in good condition. [CRO, BLRI]
Park dispatch received a report of a body at the Courthouse Valley overlook on the afternoon of May 2nd. Ranger Martin Golden and Transylvania county deputies responded and found the body of J.E., 36, of Loudonville, New York, lying on a blanket and pillow. He apparently shot himself with a .22 rifle. A suicide note was found in his shirt pocket. [CRO, BLRI]
A park maintenance employee discovered a vehicle over the embankment at Thunder Hill overlook around 11 a.m. on May 21st. The body of a male with a gunshot wound in his head was found within. Rangers and county deputies investigated. A wallet which contained a Florida operator's license was found on the body, but there was no suicide note. The investigation continues. [CRO, BLRI]
D.P. was braking his motorcycle to turn into the Peaks of Otter Lodge on May 22nd when his front brake locked up and his cycle flipped end over end. His passenger, G.K., suffered serious injuries. Rangers stabilized both individuals until EMS units arrived. G.K. was airlifted to Roanoke, where she is in critical condition. D.P. was released with only minor injuries. [CRO, BLRI]
Around 1 a.m. on July 17th, Richard Watkins and three juvenile males approached a vehicle in the Chestnut Ridge parking overlook near Roanoke, pointed a handgun at the occupants, Leslie Johnson and Edward Leblanc, and demanded their money and jewelry. They then fled in their vehicle, with Johnson and Leblanc following. They wrote down the license plate number and notified Roanoke police. County officers subsequently stopped the vehicle near the parkway and held the four men until Johnson and Leblanc arrived, identified them and recovered their stolen property. Rangers Charles Johnson and John Boone arrested the four for armed robbery and took them to a jail in Roanoke. [CRO, BLRI]
Ranger Mark Gall was dispatched from his residence on the evening of July 16th to investigate a report of an apparent suicide at Afton overlook. Gall met Shenandoah ranger Ken Mehne, a Virginia state trooper and an EMS unit at the scene. The body of Curtis Crowder from nearby Waynesboror was found in the driver's seat with a .357 magnum pistol in his hand and a single bullet wound to his head. The investigation is continuing. [CRO, BLRI]
Rangers Alan Sager and Martin Golden followed-up on a report of a body at a parkway overlook south of Ashville early on the morning of August 6th. They found the remains of J.H. lying face down on the pavement of Chestnut Cover overlook with multiple stab wounds in his back. His car was parked nearby. No suspects have been taken into custody, and no motive has been determined. Sheriff's deputies are cooperating in the investigation. [Jim Fox, BLRI]
Park visitors discovered the bodies of a man and woman at the Rockfish Valley overlook near the north end of the parkway around 10 a.m. on August 14th. They were later identified as H.S., 18, and K.M., 26, both of nearby Waynesboro, Virginia. Each had sustained a gunshot wound to the head, and a 9 mm pistol was found near K.M.'s body. The couple had recently divorced. Autopsies will be performed. District ranger Bruce Bytnar and Nelson County deputies are cooperating in the investigation. [CRO, BLRI]
Shortly before noon on August 3rd, J.B., 40, of Moncks Corner, South Carolina, was fatally injured when the pickup truck he was operating left the parkway, traveled about 150 feet down an embankment, and struck several trees. Rangers Tony Welch and Shannon Maness responded along with five local emergency response agencies. Extrication was extremely complicated and time-consuming. J.B.'s wife, B.B., was a passenger and suffered multiple injuries. She is expected to recover. There are indications that J.B. was traveling at a high rate of speed prior to the accident. [CRO, BLRI]
Deputies from Buncombe County have arrested J.D., 25, and charged him with the August 6th slaying of J.H. at the park's Chestnut Cove overlook. [CRO, BLRI]
Autopsies have been completed on the bodies of H.S., 18, and K.M., 26, both of nearby Waynesboro, Virginia. The medical examiner determined that H.S. was killed by a bullet which entered the back of her head. There was no evidence that she had handled the pistol found at the scene. K.M. died as a result of a self-inflicted bullet wound to the right temple. The latter finding was supported by the nature of the wound, fingerprints found on the weapon, and powder residue found on his hand. The medical examiner has therefore classified the incident as a murder-suicide. [CRO, BLRI]
While on routine patrol late on the evening of August 30th, rangers Darius Jones and Shannon Maness found a vehicle in the parking lot of the Folk Art Center, which was closed at the time. The sole occupant was Nancy Snyder, 54, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. A records check indicated that the vehicle had been stolen from Hillsville, Virginia, three days previously. The vehicle also contained property which had been stolen from Maggie Valley, North Carolina. Snyder alleged that she had been kidnapped and raped, but was found in the driver's seat with keys in her possession. There was no evidence that any other subject was involved. Snyder was accordingly arrested for vehicle theft. [Jim Fox, BLRI]
Reports on the impacts of Hurricane Fran have been received from a number of Eastern parks. Of particular note is the fact that the flooding along the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers has in most cases been as or more severe than that which occurred during January, making this the first year since the National Weather Service began keeping track early this century that areas along those rivers have been hit by two major floods. As of Sunday night, the Potomac was flowing past Little Falls in Maryland at more than 300,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) - 130 times the normal volume. When the Shenandoah River crested on Saturday, it had a flow rate of 153,000 cfs, or more than 200 times its typical rate. o Blue Ridge - The hurricane caused extensive flooding and tree damage over a 64-mile section of the parkway from its beginning point to the James River. A number of trees and utility lines fell across the parkway. The Otter Creek campground was closed due to flooding. Heavy rain damaged the roof of the park's maintenance facility in Vinton, near Roanoke. The park hoped to reopen the road and restore all visitor services in relatively short order. [Greg Styles, IC, SHEN; Kevin Fitzgerald, CHOH; Gary Pollock, GWMP; Sandy Ailey, PIO, NCFA; Jim Fox, BLRI; Bob Woody, CI&VS, CAHA; Newt Sikes, CUIS; John Breen, FOPU; Andrew Loveless, Superintendent, KIMO; John Tucker, Superintendent, FOSU; Chuck Harris, CR, CALO; Mike Johnson, CR, FRSP; Washington Post]
Additional reports on the impacts of Hurricane Fran have been received: o Blue Ridge - All visitor services and facilities temporarily closed due to the hurricane's impacts have now been fully restored and reopened. The damage consisted of numerous downed trees and power outages, primarily at the north end of the parkway. The preliminary cost estimate for repairs to National Capitol Field Area parks has reached $380,000, but does not include long-term rehabilitation and restoration of roads, trails and museums. Damage at present does not appear to be as severe as that inflicted by last January's flood. [Don Boucher, FMO, NCSO; Ann Childress, CR, FOSU Group; Harvey Sorenson, CR, HAFE; Jim Fox, BLRI]
On September 11th, a parkway contractor discovered the body of R.T., 24, of Hillsboro, North Carolina, in a vehicle parked at the Lane Valley overlook near Asheville. R.T. had died several hours earlier from an apparently self-inflicted shotgun wound to the head. The vehicle was locked from the inside and a suicide note was found. [Jim Fox, BLRI]
R.D. and J.D. of Aiken, South Carolina, were accosted while sitting in their parked vehicle at Waterrock Knob overlook just after noon on October 17th. The man, who wore sunglasses and had a scarf wrapped around his face, brandished a tire iron, claimed to possess a gun and a knife, and threatened to kill the couple if they refused to hand over cash and valuables. He also demanded a camcorder which was visible in the D.'s vehicle, but R.D. was able to negotiate payment of additional cash in return for keeping it. Their assailant's tone was polite, and he said that he wanted to be known as a "gentleman thief." He left the parkway at Soco Gap with about $200 in twenty dollar bills but no other property. He is described as a slender white male, five feet five inches tall, weighing about 130 pounds. [CRO, BLRI]
On the morning of January 19th, E.W. and S.H. were ice climbing at Ice Rock near milepost 242. Vertical cuts above and below the parkway at this location remain shaded during winter months, and springs and snow melt from above the road accumulate in thick ice deposits that flow across the road and over a masonry retaining wall. E.W. was ascending from below the road; S.H. was on belay at the top of the cut at the edge of the road, secured by two ice axes attached to the back of his harness by webbing. E.W. began to fall while climbing. S.H. partially broke his fall, and E.W. landed unharmed after free-falling between 15 and 20 feet. S.H.'s anchor failed, though, and he apparently was pulled to the precipice by the weight of E.W.'s body. S.H. was unable to arrest his slide and plunged headfirst over the ice-covered wall, striking rock about 80 feet below and 15 feet from E.W., then sliding another 75 feet down an ice- covered scree slope before coming to rest. Ranger Terry Morris responded, but found no signs of life. S.H. apparently died instantaneously. When interviewed later on, E.W. revealed that the pair had a total of three days of ice climbing experience, including the day of the fatality. [CRO, BLRI, 1/20]
A number of visitor vehicles were broken into last year in the Linville Falls-Grandfather Mountain area of the park. On January 8th, police from Boone, North Carolina, arrested two men - J.M. and J.C., both of that state - who subsequently confessed to breaking into vehicles in the park and on surrounding Forest Service lands. Ranger Kathryn Brett worked with Boone officers on the investigation. Confessions and residential searches have linked the pair to at least six car clouts in the park. On January 1st, Brett arrested Dale White of Bladenboro, North Carolina, for an unrelated series of car clouts, also in the Linville Falls area. Brett recognized White from photographs taken when he attempted to use ATM cards taken in those break-ins. At the time of his arrest, White had in his possession burglary tools and clothing worn when the ATM photos were taken. White's arrest has cleared another four car clouts which occurred in the park. The investigation continues. [CRO, BLRI, 2/13]
On the afternoon of Friday, April 25th, E.C., 69, of New Milford, New Jersey, was traveling southbound on the parkway on his Yamaha FJ-1200 motorcycle when he rounded a curve at a high rate of speed, lost control of the bike and slid into the path of an on-coming Buick Century operated by Donald Green of Ballston Spa, New York. The motorcycle virtually disintegrated, and the Buick was totalled. E.C. was taken to a local hospital, but apparently died on impact from a broken neck. Green's spouse, Janice, 68, was hospitalized with a fractured hand, sprained ankle and seatbelt injuries. E.C. was traveling with eleven other motorcyclists. Other visitors had reported the group traveling at high speeds earlier in the day. Ranger Terry Morris is investigating the accident. [CRO, BLRI, 4/28]
On June 19th, federal felony arrest warrants were issued for Keven Batton of Waynesboro, Virginia, charging him with attempting to run down a group of approximately a dozen people with a motor vehicle at Rockfish Valley overlook a week previously. The incident occurred after Batton reportedly beat-up his girl friend. One person was struck and received minor injuries; four parked vehicles were struck and damaged. Batton is a habitual offender with a history of prior felony convictions. [CRO, BLRI, 6/20]
On June 19th, Waynesboro police informed parkway rangers that a woman had been abducted from a convenience store parking lot in that city, then driven to the Greenstone overlook and sexually assaulted. Rangers are investigation with city police officers. [CRO, BLRI, 6/20]
On June 23rd, the Floyd County, Virginia, sheriff's office advised the park that a burned automobile with a body inside had been discovered on a state secondary road on NPS land just off the parkway in the Smart View area. The vehicle, which apparently was a white Chevrolet Camaro, bore no visible registration or vehicle identification number; the name, gender and cause of death of the occupant remain unknown. Identification has been complicated by extensive melting and incineration caused by the intense heat of the fire. Scorched grass nearby suggest that the fire may have been ignited by the car's catalytic converter. Ranger Pete Schula is investigating along with county officers and agents from the FBI office in Roanoke. [CRO, BLRI, 6/25]
During the early morning hours of July 2nd, Roanoke police officers stopped a pickup truck with three occupants in a city park. The officer recognized the driver, C.D., 25, who had warrants out against him, and asked him to step from the vehicle. C.D. instead sped away down an access road to the parkway. City officers pursued the truck for a half mile down the parkway, at which point C.D. lost control of the truck in a series of curves. The truck went over an embankment, struck a large tree, and caught fire. C.D. was thrown from the vehicle and received minor injuries, but the two passengers - S.V., 19, of Virginia Beach, and E.B., 19, of Palatka, Florida - were trapped inside the vehicle. Police officers on the scene were unable to save them. The accident is being investigated jointly with the Roanoke city police department. Charges are pending. [CRO, BLRI, 7/2]
On July 7th, the park received a report of a missing person and possible abduction in the area of Afton Mountain. The reporting party said that he was hiking with L.P. on the Appalachian Trail. He left her briefly to get water; when he returned, she was gone. The man who made the report has an extensive criminal history which includes violence and distribution of drugs, and was also a suspect in a murder under similar circumstances last year. L.P. reportedly was without footwear, suffering kidney problems, and under the influence of methamphetamines. The incident was handled as a law enforcement search. Rangers, county deputies and dog teams were deployed in an effort to find her. When located near Afton Mountain, L.P. attempted to flee from a deputy. During the subsequent interview, investigators determined that L.P. and her companion were dropped off on the parkway with the intention of breaking into several area residences. When they heard voices, they ran into the woods and became lost. L.P. had walked approximately ten miles on the Appalachian Trail and through adjacent areas wearing only a tee shirt and a bathing suit bottom. When found, she appeared to still be heavily under the influence of drugs. The criminal investigation is being handled by the Nelson County sheriff's office. The search was coordinated by district ranger Bruce Bytnar and park personnel. [CRO, BLRI, 7/10]
On June 26th, K.B. of Waynesboro, Virginia, was arrested on a felony assault warrant which charged him with attempting to run down a group of approximately a dozen people with a motor vehicle at Rockfish Valley overlook earlier in June. The incident occurred after K.B. reportedly beat-up his girl friend. One person was struck and received minor injuries; four parked vehicles were struck and damaged. K.B. was held without bond pending a preliminary hearing because he was on state bond for two felony charges of distribution of cocaine at the time of the arrest. District ranger Bruce Bytnar is leading the investigation. [CRO, BLRI, 7/10]
On July 15th, rangers participated in an interagency eradication effort. A total of 347 marijuana plants were discovered and destroyed on NPS and adjacent lands through helicopter surveillance of lands in Floyd County, Virginia. Ranger Pete Schula coordinated NPS efforts on the ground along with rangers Ed Clark and Bill Calvert. The value of the plants has been placed at $347,000. No arrests had been made at the time of the report. [CRO, BLRI, 7/17]
M.K., 72, of Dallas, Texas, was seen jumping from Raven Roost overlook at milepost 10.8 around 4 p.m. on August 14th. M.K. fell about 150 feet; death was probably instantaneous. Ranger Mark Gall is investigating. [CRO, BLRI, 8/18]
A 54-year-old man shot himself in the head at the Pisgah picnic area parking lot at milepost 407.8 around 7 p.m. on August 16th. An EMS helicopter transported him to Mission Memorial Hospital in Asheville, where he died of the wound. A suicide note was found in his pocket and a .38 caliber handgun at his side. The name has been withheld pending family notification. Rangers Martin Golden and Barry Lewis are investigating. [CRO, BLRI, 8/18]
While conducting a check for traffic infractions on August 16th, ranger Zeph Cunningham stopped a vehicle for an open alcohol violation at Otter Lake. The two occupants - K.B., 33, and D.T., 37 - were removed from the vehicle. Although K.B. reached for a loaded handgun while exiting from the vehicle, Cunningham, ranger Dirk Wiley, and Amherst County deputies were able to place him (and D.T.) under arrest without drawing their weapons. The two had methamphetamines, crack cocaine, cocaine and marijuana in their possession. About three years ago, rangers recovered stolen parkway signs from K.B.'s residence during a warrant search of the premises. Weapons were seized as well, since K.B. is a convicted felon. Both men are being investigated for involvement in motorcycle gang activity. DEA and ATF agents are participating in the investigation. Felony charges are pending. [CRO, BLRI, 8/23]
A vehicle with five occupants, ranging in age from 12 to 16 years old, crossed the parkway center line at milepost 12.8, left the road, and struck a rock wall at 3:45 a.m. on Sunday, August 24th. A 12-year-old passenger was killed; two other occupants were evacuated by air to the University of Virginia shock trauma unit, where they are listed in critical condition with numerous and extensive injuries. The oldest occupant was the 16-year-old driver, who was admitted to an area hospital but is expected to recover. Speed is believed to have been the major contributing factor, as there is no evidence of either alcohol or drug impairment. The driver had been cited in nearby Waynesboro the previous evening for traveling 71 mph in a 25 mph zone. The names of the juveniles are being withheld. [CRO, BLRI, 8/25]
J.W., 26, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, fell approximately 270 feet to his death in the vicinity of Cascade Falls around 7 p.m. on 7th. According to his wife, who witnessed the fall, J.W. had just left the trail and climbed over a rock in order to take a photo of his wife. He apparently lost his footing and fell. Ranger Don Reed is investigating. [CRO, BLRI, 9/8]
On June 26th, K.B. of Waynesboro, Virginia, was arrested for attempting to run down a group of approximately a dozen people with a motor vehicle at Rockfish Valley overlook two weeks previously. The incident occurred after K.B. reportedly beat-up his girl friend. One person was struck and received minor injuries; four parked vehicles were struck and damaged. On September 15th, K.B. pled guilty to two felonies, a misdemeanor and a petty offense; respectively, assault with a deadly weapon (18 USC 113), damage to property of another in excess of $1,000 (Virginia statute), reckless driving (Virginia statute), and driving under the influence (36 CFR 4.32). Sentencing has been set for December 8th. K.B. is still being held in custody. The case officer is district ranger Bruce Bytnar. [CRO, BLRI, 9/26]
A one-vehicle accident near milepost 315 in the Black Mountain district on the afternoon of September 17th claimed the life of 19-year-old A.F. of Boone, North Carolina. A.F. was driving a 1986 Honda Accord when he apparently fell asleep, crossed the center line, and collided with a large boulder. The vehicle overturned and came to rest on the roadway. The sole passenger in the vehicle, 20-year-old W.P., also from Boone, was taken to a hospital, where he was last reported to be in stable condition. Ranger Jim Godwin is investigating. [CRO, BLRI, 9/24]
Rangers in Virginia were recently involved in a multi-agency drug eradication operation which employed ground teams and air surveillance to locate marijuana patches along the parkway. A total of 189 plants, some seven feet tall, were discovered and destroyed in Floyd, Franklin and Patrick counties. The estimated cash value has been placed at about $200,000. Ranger Pete Schula was IC; participating were rangers Mark Gall, Darius Jones, Bobby Miller, Gene Parker, Ed Clark, Bill Calvert and Jolene Johnson. [CRO, BLRI, 9/23]
Ranger Dirk Wiley found the body of F.P., 73, from the Roanoke area, lying next to his vehicle at the Iron Mine Hollow overlook in the Ridge District shortly before noon on October 9th. F.P. had a gunshot wound in his right temple; a .38 caliber revolver was attached to his hand with a rubber band and a note nearby contained instructions in case he survived. The incident evidently occurred earlier that day. County officials are investigating. [CRO, BLRI, 10/10]
Park dispatch received a report of a possible suicide at the Shenandoah Valley overlook in the Ridge District just before noon on October 11th. Rangers Herb Hacker, Darius Jones and Mark Gall responded and found the body of 63-year-old E.S. of Afton, Virginia, in his vehicle with an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head. The investigation is continuing. [CRO, BLRI, 10/14]
Ranger Don Coleman found the body of 21-year-old B.T. of Whittier, North Carolina, beside a wrecked van about 320 feet down an embankment at milepost 421 shortly after noon on December 19th. The vehicle had been spotted by a park visitor. B.T. evidently was killed in the crash, and a suicide note was found on his body. Parkway dispatchers had received a "be on the lookout" notice for B.T. from Jackson County on November 28th. The time and exact circumstances of the fatality are unknown at this time. An investigation is underway in cooperation with local and state agencies. [CRO, BLRI, 12/22]
Within about a 12-hour period on January 7th, portions of the parkway received between seven and ten inches of rain, resulting in two major rock and mud slides blocking the road at milepost 449 and at milepost 358, totally closing public access to Mount Mitchell State Park. Federal Highway Administration engineers have identified a massive potential rock slide at milepost 428 which poses an extreme and immediate hazard to travelers. Numerous smaller slides have also occurred. Trees have fallen across the road, and several campgrounds, picnic areas and trails have been flooded. Affected portions of the parkway have been closed for clean-up and repairs. One employee suffered a broken collar bone as a result of a fall while removing downed trees. [CRO, BLRI, 1/9]
At approximately 10 p.m. on Sunday, January 25th, D.P., a long-time employee of the park's maintenance and engineering division, sustained an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head at his residence near Lynchburg, Virginia, and was pronounced dead on arrival at a local hospital. The fatal shot apparently was fired from an NPS-owned 9mm pistol assigned to his wife, ranger P.W.P. The investigation is continuing under the lead of county sheriff's deputies. [CRO, BLRI, 1/26]
Additional reports on the effects of recent severe storms on parks have been received: Blue Ridge Parkway (VA/NC) - The park was struck by two major winter storms between January 27th and February 6th. The impacts of the first were felt mainly in North Carolina. Large amounts of heavy snow and high winds caused many trees to be uprooted and/or broken along the parkway. The second storm mainly affected the Virginia section of the park; as with Shenandoah, this storm brought heavy rain, snow and ice. Tree damage was again serious and widespread. The park's radio system is largely out of service, but precise damage estimates are impossible because roads to microwave repeater sites are impassible. The damage is comparable to that inflicted by Hurricane Hugo in 1989, but is far more widespread, affecting areas along nearly the entire length of the parkway. Reports from other parks that have also been significantly affected by these storms would be appreciated. [Greg Stiles, SHEN, 2/9; CRO, BLRI, 2/9; Larry Carr, CR, WHIS, 2/9]
The park was notified of a fast-moving fire approaching two subdivisions near the northern end of the parkway on April 2nd. Low humidity, high winds and recent increases in ground fuels due to winter storm damage heightened the risk to the homes and to park lands. The park sent an engine and a slip-on unit to the subdivisions. The pressurized foam from these two units proved critical in saving two homes. They were the only fire units at the scene with this equipment. The fire was contained at 400 acres the following day; no structures were lost. Only a small portion of one spot fire burned into the park. [Bruce Bytnar, DR, Ridge District, BLRI, 4/6]
Just before 4 a.m. on Monday, April 13th, rangers were notified of a single- vehicle accident with one fatality and two serious injuries at Calloway Gap on the parkway. Rangers Ken Gochenour and Brent Pennington responded and found numerous local fire and rescue units already on scene. One of the first rescue units to arrive included Mark Mallette, a park maintenance worker who is also a volunteer fireman for the Glendale Springs Fire Department. A.T., 18, was ejected from the truck and died at the scene. T.T., her 29-year old husband, and D.M., 14, were pinned inside the wreckage and required extrication. Both sustained multiple injuries and were medevaced to Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, where they remain hospitalized. The accident is still under investigation, but physical evidence indicates that the truck was northbound on the parkway when the right rear tires drifted off onto the road shoulder, the driver over- corrected, and the truck veered across both travel lanes onto the southbound lane road shoulder. The driver then over-corrected again, causing the vehicle to skid sideways back across both travel lanes and roll at least once before coming to rest on its side against a tree. The entire cab of the truck was crushed and had to be cut away to allow rescuers access to the two surviving victims. None of the occupants were wearing seatbelts. Excessive speed, alcohol, and drugs may have been factors in the accident. [Brent Pennington, DR, Highlands District, BLRI, 4/21]
A park visitor found a body near Cahas Knob overlook south of Roanoke, Virginia, early on the morning of May 27th. D.D., 37, a Roanoke resident and former deputy with the county sheriff's department, died from a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head. His body was found on the ground beside his pickup truck with his .40 caliber handgun nearby. A suicide note had been found at his residence the previous evening, and area agencies had been searching for him. D.D. had been released from employment with the sheriff's department because of a serious medical disability. [CRO, BLRI, 5/27]
The body of 25-year-old S.M. of Thomasville, Georgia, was found at the base of a 175-foot cliff just downstream from the Roanoke River Bridge on June 2nd. S.M. left his vehicle parked in the Roanoke River overlook parking area on S.M. 28th. Georgia officials advised that S.M. had not been home since early April and that they had identified him as "an endangered missing person." A suicide note was found among items of personal property recovered at the top of the cliff. The terrain in the area made location and removal of the body extremely difficult. The operation was carried out jointly by rangers and county deputies and fire and rescue personnel. Ranger Ed Clark was IC. [CRO, BLRI, 6/3]
The park received a report of a serious accident at milepost 216.5 (just north of the Virginia-North Carolina line) at 4 p.m. on June 7th. Rangers Jolene Johnson and Greg Moore responded. A motorcycle had crossed the centerline and struck a Ford Explorer head-on. The driver of the motorcycle, G.H., of Mount Airy, North Carolina, was flown first to a local hospital, then to a hospital in Winston-Salem, where he died of massive injuries. The operator of the Explorer was treated for minor injuries and released. Parkway motorcycle accidents often result from motorcycles crossing the centerline in sharp curves due to excessive speed. [CRO, BLRI, 6/9]
One of a group of motorcyclists who'd driven down the parkway en route to a motorcycle rally in Asheville called the park communication center at 10 p.m. on the evening of June 22nd and asked if the park had received a report of an accident involving a red Honda motorcycle. He was advised that there'd been no such report and hung up. The following morning, members of the group told rangers that N.T., 34, of New York City, never arrived in Nashville. A search was begun. Around 7:30 p.m., a local SAR team found his body near Spruce Pine, North Carolina. N.T. evidently lost control in a curve, ran off the road, crashed, and died of unspecified injuries. The incident was not witnessed. Neither his body nor the motorcycle were plainly visible to parkway motorists. Ranger Jim Godwin is leading the investigation. [CRO, BLRI, 6/24]
On July 1st, park trail crews working in the Rich Mountain section of Moses Cone Memorial Park discovered two plots of small marijuana plants on an old roadbed that was being cleared for use as a hiking/horseback riding trail. Rangers Hope Powers and Brent Pennington and a Watuga County officer checked the area on the following afternoon. The two plots were located in an overgrown portion of the old road bed. One contained nine plants; the other had 22 plants, averaging a foot and a half tall. Both plots were enclosed with chicken wire and each plant was set in what appeared to be fresh potting soil. A search of the area revealed other areas that had been cleared in the past and may have been used for marijuana cultivation. The sites were photographed, GPS coordinates were obtained for future reference, and the plants and enclosures were collected and removed. If harvested at maturity, the plans would have had an approximate street value of just over $37,000. [Brent Pennington, DR, Highlands District, BLRI, 7/10]
J.H., 57, of Zion, Illinois, was traveling southbound on the parkway on the afternoon of August 11th; as he passed an entrance to an overlook, he suddenly veered right as though he intended to enter the lot. J.H.'s motorcycle struck the asphalt curb surrounding an island separating the overlook from the highway and he was thrown from the bike as it flipped end over end. Although initially conscious, J.H.'s condition later deteriorated. He suffered cardiac arrest while aboard a medical helicopter en route to an Asheville hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival. Ranger Don Coleman investigated. [CRO, BLRI, 8/12]
Ranger Don Reed stopped a vehicle for excessive speed near Boone-Blowing Rock, North Carolina, on January 30th. Both driver W.B. and passenger J.K. appeared nervous and were evasive during questioning. Reed found marijuana on W.B.'s person and learned that he had a history of prior drug convictions. A consent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a half pound of marijuana, 58 grams of methamphetamine, a digital scale, and other paraphernalia commonly used in the drug trade. Reed and ranger Deann Shults transported the two men to a county jail in Asheville. On February 3rd, both were indicted by a grand jury for possession of drugs with intent to distribute. They remain in custody; no trial date has yet been scheduled. [CRO, BLRI, 2/3]
District ranger Richard Morefield came upon an unoccupied vehicle on the Roanoke River Ridge at 10:20 p.m. on May 8th and subsequently discovered a body under the bridge and in the river. Ranger Mike Klingensmith assisted in the investigation. The body was recovered by boat around 2 a.m. The victim has been identified as B.W., 55, of Roanoke. Rangers and county detectives are investigating. [Gordon Wissinger, BLRI, 5/13]
A rockslide covered both lanes of the parkway near milepost 339 around 10:30 a.m. on June 15th. It blocked traffic from passing through a five mile section of the road between Crab Tree Meadows and Little Switzerland. The detour adds approximately 25 miles to a trip through the area. The slide is comprised primarily of a single boulder with an estimated size of 3,000 square feet and an estimated weight of 18 tons. The extent of damage to the road is unknown. Estimates on removal and costs are being prepared. No injuries or damage to private property have been reported. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 6/16]
Ranger Cody Murphy responded to a report of a motorcycle accident on the parkway on June 12th and found the cycle and the body of the operator, D.W., of Toronto, Canada, off a steep bank and out of view from the road. It was evident that the accident had occurred three or four days previously. D.W. had been traveling alone. Investigation revealed that he'd spent the night of June 8th in Roanoke, Virginia. Rangers Don Reed, Hope Powers and Jim Godwin assisted in the investigation. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 6/15]
Park dispatch received a cellular 911 call reporting an accident on the parkway at 3 p.m. on June 10th. While the call was still in progress, the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident left the scene and ran to the parkway bridge over Highway 74. She climbed over the rail barrier and leaned over the edge, 65 feet above traffic. Several visitors stopped traffic on the parkway, while three others engaged her in conversation in an attempt to talk her back. Ranger Kristin Fey arrived and attempted to talk her back onto the bridge. The woman shook her head and let go of the bridge. Fey and a visitor grabbed her as she fell, but she struggled, broke free of their grip, and fell. She sustained multiple injuries and at last report was in unstable and critical condition. Investigation showed that she had made arrangements for the care of her children, left a note, cut her left wrist and intentionally driven her car off the parkway prior to the attempt from the bridge. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 6/15]
On June 13th, dispatch received a report of an assault on a woman and a boy that had taken place near the Bull Creek overlook. The reporting visitor had gotten the pair out of the area. The incident was investigated by rangers Kristin Fey and Kathryn Brett, who determined that the assailant was a close associate of the victims. Neither required medical care and were assisted in obtaining outside support. The investigation continues. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 6/15]
Great Smokies ranger Jonathan Holter was called out at 2:30 a.m. on July 6th to investigate a vehicle that had broken through a gate and entered a closed road. Holter stopped the vehicle, which was occupied by five people, and found alcohol, marijuana and merchandise that appeared to have been taken from a Blue Ridge Parkway facility. The five were positively identified, cited and released and the merchandise was seized. Blue Ridge ranger Don Coleman subsequently determined that the Water Rock Knob Visitor Center had been burglarized, with numerous items taken. The burglars had entered the building through a ceiling sky light. A joint investigation by the two parks is underway. All five individuals face charges for B&E and larceny. [John Mattox, CI, GRSM, 7/6]
A pick-up truck towing an RV left the roadway and struck a tree near mile post 140 on July 12th. J.J. of Fayetteville, North Carolina, was killed in the accident; his wife and grandson, who were passengers in the truck, received only minor injuries. Park employee Al Hollister and FHA employee Cullen Brooks were first on the scene and provided aid to the injured. The investigation is being headed by ranger Mike Klingensmith. Weather and road characteristics may have been contributing factors, as it was raining and foggy and the accident occurred on a grade in a curve. All occupants were wearing seatbelts and both airbags deployed. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 7/13]
A climber fell at Ship Rock, a popular climbing area in the Highlands District, around 6 p.m. on July 18th, suffering a pneumothorax and a broken arm. Primary care was provided by ranger Dusty Warren. A technical lowering was conducted by rangers from the Highlands and Pisgah Districts together with personnel from Avery County Rescue. The patient was flown to Johnson City, Tennessee, for additional care. The IC for the incident was Don Reed. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 7/20]
Blowing Rock police asked rangers for assistance in the pursuit of an armed robbery suspect in a stolen vehicle just before 1 p.m. on July 18th. Rangers from the Highlands and Pisgah Districts responded. The suspect abandoned the vehicle on park lands near Cone Manor, a high visitor use area and site location for filming of a motion picture. A small section of the parkway and several county roads were closed for the remainder of the daylight hours while a joint manhunt was conducted. Articles of clothing were located along the suspect's route, but he was not apprehended. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 7/20]
State officers conducing a drug eradication overflight spotted a vehicle off the parkway in heavy cover over a steep embankment at milepost 264.4 on the afternoon of July 20th. Investigation revealed that S.M. of Montgomery County, Virginia, had died from injuries suffered in the accident. S.M. had been listed as a missing person on June 27th. He had a history of becoming confused and disoriented. Rangers Jeff Matheson and Brent Pennington investigated. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 7/20]
An armed robbery occurred at a trading post just off park lands in McDowell County, North Carolina, on the morning of August 5th. Police broadcast a description of the three suspects and their weapons and vehicle. About an hour later, park employee Carolyn Sparks saw the vehicle and called in the location and direction of travel. Ranger Kristin Fey quickly picked the vehicle up and followed it while awaiting the arrival of other units. Two deputies joined Fey and attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver accelerated away. At one point, the vehicle slowed and one of the occupants jumped out and fled into woods near the parkway. Fey and one deputy stopped; the other deputy continued the pursuit. The vehicle spun-out a short time later and the two remaining occupants were taken into custody. A search for the third man was begun. A short segment of the parkway was closed, a containment perimeter was established, and a unified command was set up with the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office. A tracking team comprised of a dog, a state ranger, and NPS rangers began tracking the man, but the track was lost and the manhunt was suspended after six hours. Three NPS rangers and a canine unit remained in the area. Around 7 p.m., the park received a tip regarding a suspicious person in the area from a park visitor - who also happened to be an assistant U.S. attorney. The man was quickly found and taken into custody without incident. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 8/6]
On August 10th, the park received a visitor report of a person with an unknown problem near milepost 23. The responding ranger found a man in the vehicle who had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was later identified as E.L., 51, of Charlottesville. A suicide note to his wife was found nearby. E.L.'s wife had filed a missing person report on him earlier that day. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 8/11]
R.K., 70, of Jonesborough, Tennessee, was riding his motorcycle on the parkway just after noon on September 8th when he struck a deer. The motorcycle went down, skidded about 50 feet to a ditch line, then went off a retaining wall and dropped about 50 feet. R.K. died at the scene. An investigation is underway. The case is being handled by ranger Bob Palmer. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 9/9]
J.L.S., 71, of Staunton, Virginia, was riding his motorcycle on the parkway at 9:15 p.m. on September 11th when he struck a deer. Rangers and local EMS responded to the accident. J.L.S. was conscious at the scene, but went into cardiac arrest while being transported and could not be resuscitated. Terry Morris is the case ranger. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 9/13]
D.M., 20, and F.M.-B., 22, were seen displaying a light off the parkway in an area frequented by deer just before 1 a.m. on September 12th. The two were contacted by rangers and found to have a loaded .22 caliber rifle, wrapping materials and a light in their possession. Neither had adequate identification, and D.M. was found to be an undocumented alien. Both were arrested and were to appear in court on Tuesday. A follow-up investigation will focus on commercial use of wildlife. The case is being investigated by rangers Jeff Matheson and Terry Morris. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 9/13]
During the night of August 21st, park rangers from Balsam Gap and a state wildlife officer contacted six people involved in an illegal bear hunt in the park. The action culminated several weeks of investigation and electronic surveillance of a series of bait sites that had been found in the park. The six men had routinely baited the sites and placed an electronic monitor on one of them to alert them when an animal entered the area. Following interviews with the six, a kill site from the previous night was found on the boundary of the Cherokee reservation and Great Smoky Mountains NP. Charges have not yet been filed, but an investigation is underway in conjunction with U.S. Fish and Wildlife. The apprehension detail was led by ranger Tony Welch. [John Garrison, Protection specialist, BLRI, 9/13]
Rangers received a report of shots fired in the closed section of Price Park campground at 2 a.m. on September 24th. Upon arrival, they learned that S.M., 30, had gone into a wooded area across the parkway from the campground area with a handgun and that several gunshots had since emanated from the area. They also learned that S.M. had a history of suicide attempts. Rangers and county deputies swept the area and found her body just after daylight. The apparent cause of death was a single shot to the chest. The handgun with four discharged rounds was found beside her. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 9/28]
The night watchman at Peaks of Otter Lodge interrupted a break-in in progress at the concession-operated service station at 4:35 a.m. on September 22nd. The suspects ran out a back entrance and fled the area in a car. Ranger Zeph Cunningham and local deputies examined the scene and recovered several .22 shell casings and a hammer. There was extensive damage to the station's inventory and to a drink machine, which had been shot several times. A joint investigation is underway. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 9/28]
The body of B.K.L., 57, of Asheville, North Carolina, was found in her vehicle near the junction of the parkway and the entrance to the new headquarters construction site. B.K.L. died from a single gunshot wound to the chest. Her revolver was recovered from the car. The time of death has been established as between 4 a.m. and 7 a.m. A note and a letter were found; she had recently put many of her affairs in order, including the cleaning of her house. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 10/29]
Maintenance employee James Farmer, an equipment operator in the Highlands District, died at home of an apparent heart attack on the evening of November 17th. He is survived by his wife and daughter. James had worked on the parkway in both seasonal and full-time positions since 1976. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 11/18]
On January 4th, H.H.-R., an illegal alien from Mexico, was arrested by ranger Larry Johnson for theft of native plants from park lands. H.H.-R. had 3,500 galax plants in his possession and was operating a motor vehicle without a license. Galax is an evergreen ground cover that is used in the international floral industry. The area in which he was collecting is also within the watershed for the city of Asheville, North Carolina. H.H.-R. was sentenced to 60 days of active time and ordered into the custody of immigration authorities. He had been convicted for removing galax from state game lands the day before his arrest in the park. [John Garrison, BLRI, 1/10]
Around 2:30 on the afternoon of February 16th, ranger Barry Lewis contacted two men - B.H. and B.G. - who were walking along the parkway with four dogs that were off-leash. Both men were evasive and argumentative. When they failed to provide answers to questions about their identification and possible weapons in their possession, Lewis attempted to frisk them for weapons. B.G. ran off; B.H. began struggling with the ranger. Lewis eventually got him into a control position, but disengaged when he couldn't determine B.G.'s whereabouts. B.H. fled into the woods. The incident occurred at a point where the parkway is flanked by the Pisgah National Forest. USFS, state and county officers responded and a manhunt was begun. Investigation revealed that both men had outstanding out-of-state warrants against them and that they both had criminal histories for possession of controlled substances and assault. B.G. was captured at 4 p.m. in a rural section of Buncombe County after traveling about four miles cross-county through difficult terrain. B.H. was taken into custody near Asheville just after 9 p.m. Lewis was not seriously injured and continues as the case ranger. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 2/16]
North Carolina state park maintenance supervisor Dave Horton died on February 16th of injuries sustained in an accident on the parkway the previous day. Horton and state ranger K.L. were traveling on a closed section of the parkway which provides primary access to the state park when a large tree limb fell on their truck, crushing the cab. K.L. was not seriously injured. Dave was a good friend to many employees at the park and will be greatly missed. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 2/17]
The body of R.B. was found in a wooded area of the park near milepost 203 on March 8th following a three-day search. He apparently died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound; a suicide note and a rifle he owned were found nearby. The investigation began late on March 5th when a ranger found a vehicle that had reportedly been stolen from Cincinnati, Ohio. The operator was presumed to be R.B., who was listed as a missing person with mental health problems. He was also reported to have a high-powered rifle in his possession. A ground search proved fruitless, so a Virginia State Police helicopter was brought in. His body was spotted from the helicopter. The case ranger is Pete Schula. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 3/9]
The Wautauga County Sheriff's Office contacted the park on March 21st and notified rangers that an armed man was in the park and probably intended to commit suicide. He was reportedly near Price Lake in the Highlands District, a heavily used area. Ranger Don Reed began a search along with county deputies and soon found the body of Larry Bowman. He had died from a single gunshot wound to the head. There was no indication that anyone else had been involved in the shooting, but the investigation remains open and continuing. Reed is the case ranger. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 3/28]
J.D. died of injuries sustained in a single-vehicle accident near milepost 148 on the evening of March 19th. J.D. was the lone occupant of a Toyota pickup. Ranger Pete Schula is the case ranger. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 3/28]
Ranger Gene Parker made a car stop near milepost 111 on March 28th. Efforts to identify the operator proved unavailing. As Parker returned to the stopped vehicle, the driver took off and sped away. A 45-mile-long pursuit followed down the parkway and involving rangers, Floyd County deputies, and Virginia state troopers. The vehicle was eventually stopped and the operator identified as A.S.-F., who had active warrants against him in Utah for felony larceny. A.S.-F. is being held on false information and a variety of traffic safety charges. The follow-up investigation continues. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 3/30]
On April 11th, rangers from Oteen Station concluded several days of intermittent surveillance with the arrest of three people - M.S., 23, J.S., 28, and a juvenile female - and the seizure of over 47,000 galax plant stems. All three are from Mexico and are illegal aliens; they are being held without bond under Lacey Act violations. Rangers John Anthony and Larry Johnson made the apprehensions after pursuing a tip from another park employee. Galax has commercial value in the floral industry in both domestic and European markets. The street value of the galax seized is over $2,000. Anthony is the case ranger. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 4/12]
On April 11th, rangers from Oteen Station concluded several days of intermittent surveillance with the arrest of three people - M.S., 23, J.S., 28, and a juvenile female - and the seizure of over 47,000 galax plant stems that had been taken illegally from the park. On April 19th, the S.s both entered guilty pleas to misdemeanor Lacey Act violations. The magistrate judge sentenced them each to two months incarceration and two months of house arrest with electronic monitoring. During the course of the follow-up investigation, the retail value of the galax was established as over $11,000. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 5/3]
On April 29th, ranger Barry Lewis caught B.A., G.S. and five juvenile children taking galax from the park. The group had harvested over 15,000 stems with an estimated retail value of $3,750. B.A. was arrested; G.S. was cited, but allowed to remain with the children. Both adults are Mexican nationals. They have been charged with misdemeanor violations of the Lacey Act. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 5/3]
Ranger John Anthony investigated a single-vehicle accident near milepost 401. The sole occupant told Anthony that he'd been carjacked in Asheville, North Carolina, and forced to drive to the park. His assailant then robbed him at gunpoint, hit him on the head, and pushed the vehicle off the road with him inside. The investigation continues and is being coordinated with Asheville PD. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 5/3]
On the evening of April 30th, park dispatch received a report of an attempted assault in the Highlands District. The complainants said that a vehicle had tailgated them for several miles and that the driver was apparently angry over their pace of travel. He attempted to overtake them and force them to stop in the road; the complainants had reason to believe that the man had a gun. A suspect has been identified. The investigation is continuing. Ranger Ken Gochenour is the case ranger. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 5/3]
A fatal accident occurred near Peaks of Otter around 2 a.m. on April 23rd. The vehicle went off the road after the driver hit a traffic island; it struck several trees, then caught fire. The driver is believed to have been T.R., 37, of Salem, Virginia. Confirmation was pending at the time of the report. Rangers Gene Park and Zeph Cunningham worked the accident. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 4/25]
On the morning of May 15th, a visitor reported a vehicle parked in the middle of the parkway with a single occupant with a gunshot wound to the head. Rangers found at a 59-year-old Virginia man had shot himself. A note was found. Rangers Ed Clark and Katherine Brett investigated. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 5/15]
An altercation broke out in the Peaks of Otter campground on Saturday, May 27th. A husband and wife assaulted four members of another family with tent poles and fists. All four, including two juvenile females, were injured. The assailants left the campground with other members of their group. Warrants have been issued and the investigation continues. The case ranger is Zeph Cunningham. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 5/30]
On May 28th, the Haywood County Sheriff's Office contacted park dispatch and reported that an escaped prisoner named M.P. was somewhere in the area near Pisgah Inn. Ranger Barry Lewis was nearby and quickly located the vehicle that M.P. was driving. He was found and detained until he could be released to county deputies. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 5/30]
On May 17th, three illegal aliens - O.F., M.R. and N.Z. - were arrested while removing 17,700 galax stems with a retail value of $4,425. The three were gathering galax on park and USFS lands in the Pisgah District for sale in the international commercial market for use in the floral industry. Charges for violations of the Lacey Act are under review by the U.S. Attorney's Office. This is the third significant seizure of stolen galax stems in this area of the park within the past two months, and intelligence indicates that the market demand for the plant will remain strong. The case rangers are Larry Johnson and Jim Godwin. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 5/26]
Park dispatch received a report of an unconscious man at the Brinegar Cabin historic site late on the afternoon of July 16th. The reported cause was a severe allergic reaction to a bee sting. Responding park and local EMS units found G.W., 52, of Rural Hall, North Carolina, in respiratory arrest, with other visitors performing CPR on him. Efforts to revive G.W. continued during transport to a hospital, but were ineffective. G.W. had no known allergy to bee stings. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 7/17]
On June 1st, two visitors reported that they'd been contacted at an overlook by a woman who was covered in blood and had told them that she'd just shot her dog and was going to kill herself but was afraid she couldn't do it. Supervisory ranger Don Coleman took the call and contacted the woman, who was from Marietta, Georgia, at the Courthouse Valley overlook. Coleman was able to talk her away from her car and loaded .38 handgun and take her into custody. She was transferred to the state for evaluation. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 7/18]
During the first week in June, the seventh annual "Honda Hoot" was held in Asheville, North Carolina, and was attended by over 5,000 motorcycle riders on their bikes. The parkway and park facilities received much higher use during the period, and rangers responded to and investigated over 14 motor vehicle collisions involving participants. Next year's "Hoot" will be held in Knoxville, Tennessee. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 7/18]
On June 12th, supervisory ranger Terry Morris conducted surveillance on a vehicle he suspected was being used by a person involved in resource violations. Later that day, Morris contacted the driver, R.M., and found that he had about 3,500 galax stems in his possession. The first level market value for the stems is about $175; the retail value is about $875. R.M. was cited, then released. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 7/18]
An 11-year-old girl was struck by a car at the Big Witch Gap overlook (milepost 462) on July 17th. Great Smoky Mountains NP ranger Derek Maxey and Blue Ridge ranger Marsha Bowers responded and found that the patient was under the care of Cherokee EMS. She was flown to a regional trauma center and is in critical condition. The cause of the accident is under investigation. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 7/17]
B.D., a former employee of the Pisgah Inn, a park concession, returned to the inn on August 11th to meet with the manager and obtain his final check. They met at the main registration desk. When the manager went into his office, B.D. opened the cash drawer and began removing money. The manager returned to the desk and confronted B.D.; a scuffle ensued. The manager was able to retrieve some of the money and followed B.D. into the parking lot, where the struggle continued until B.D. pulled a baseball bat from his car. The manager disengaged and B.D. fled in his vehicle. The incident was reported as an armed robbery, engendering a response by park, Forest Service and county units. B.D. was taken into custody by a county deputy after wrecking his vehicle on a state highway. Kristin Fey is the case ranger. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 8/11]
M.P., a firefighter from Marion, Ohio, died from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident on the afternoon of August 17th. M.P. failed to make it through a turn and struck a rock wall. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 8/18]
A North Carolina Forest Service helicopter used for initial attack on fires and on SAR operations crashed in the park on September 7th, killing the pilot and crew chief. The UH-1 was flying from its base in Franklin to Waynesville to participate in a school educational program. The pilot reported that he'd encountered heavy fog while crossing the mountain range near Balsam Gap Station and was seeking an emergency landing zone. Communications were then lost with the helicopter, so a search mission was launched. Search efforts were hampered by the lack of an ELT signal, the extremely limited visibility, and the full canopy cover, so the crash site near Rabb Knob overlook was not found until the following afternoon. Pilot T.N. and crew chief M.F. did not survive the crash. Rangers from both Great Smokies and Blue Ridge responded. The NTSB and FAA are investigating. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 9/8]
Two county deputies were passing an intersection of the parkway and Highway 21 in the early morning hours of September 3rd and saw a vehicle stopped on the parkway with its lights on. As they turned onto the parkway, it began to move away. They made a traffic stop and saw a 12 gauge shotgun and a .22 rifle in plain view. Highlands District DR Brent Pennington was contacted and responded. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a spotlight and numerous large plastic bags. The four occupants - M.R.-V., H.R., A.A.-Z., and E.M. - were arrested and brought before a magistrate on September 5th. All were found guilty of CFR weapons and hunting violations. They were sentenced to three days in jail, banned from federal lands for two years, forfeited the firearms, and fined $200 each. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 9/14]
On September 12th, ranger Marcia Bowers came upon an unoccupied van parked along the road with a cloth hanging from the window. She returned to the area later in the day and saw the van heading toward the exit for Highway 276. The driver ran a stop sign, so Bowers stopped it. She found 10,650 galax plants while searching the vehicle. Many had been pulled out with their root systems attached and had high-quality color and leaves. The occupants of the van were all from the same family; several were juveniles. The driver, J.S., was charged with CFR violations. The value of the galax has been placed at $2,650. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 9/14]
On October 12th, Jack Adams, a state park superintendent, saw two men - S.L.-J. and A.L. - picking galax on park lands near Mt. Mitchell State Park. Adams detained the pair until they could be taken into custody by ranger Kevin Ulery. The two men had about 8,500 galax stems in their possession. This amount of galax would bring the harvester about $85, but would be worth over $2,000 on the retail market. This is the fourth seizure of this size made by state and NPS rangers in the past few weeks. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 10/13]
Rangers Kristin Fey, Don Coleman and Tim Francis checked out the report of a man sitting on top of the rail along the I-26 overpass on October 6th. The parkway is about 80 feet above the interstate at this point. The rangers were able to talk him away from the rail and convince him to accompany them to meet with a mental health specialist. He had intended to jump from the bridge. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 10/13]
R.C. of Indianapolis died of injuries received in a motorcycle accident on October 20th. His passenger sustained serious injuries. The accident occurred at MP 451 in the Pisgah District. Ranger Barry Lewis is investigating. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 10/27]
On October 22nd, park dispatch received a phone call from a visitor who reported that he was following his own stolen car down the parkway in the Pisgah District. Y.G. was part of a group visiting the Asheville area over the weekend and was at an overlook at milepost 413 when his car was taken. Y.G. followed in another car and advised dispatch. Rangers were able to orchestrate an interception, and a Brevard PD officer spotted and pursued the stolen car. The driver, V.V. of Asheville, abandoned the car and a foot chase ensued, culminating in his arrest. Both state and federal charges will likely be filed on a variety of offenses. Kristin Fey is the case ranger. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 10/27]
Rangers have made several galax poaching cases over the past three months. On October 30th, C.S. was apprehended while taking galax from park lands and was found to have 6,681 stems in his possession. On November 28th, A.G. and his son, A.G.-G., were caught with 4,000 galax stems in their possession. And F.E.-S. was arrested while attempting to leave the park with 7,000 stems on December 13th. Galax is an evergreen ground cover which is used in the floral industry. The mountains of western North Carolina are the center for this international industry. Plants illegally harvested from NPS and USFS lands are sold on both the legal and black markets. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 12/18]
U.R. was arrested with 17,800 galax stems taken from the park's Pisgah District on January 24th. U.R. is an illegal alien and had no identification. He appeared before a federal magistrate, entered a guilty plea, and was sentenced to 45 days in jail and two years' probation. The wholesale value of the galax was about $800, with a retail value of over $4,000. Four days letter, an investigation stemming from a citizen tip led to the arrest of five people taking galax from park lands in the Highlands District. Ranger Ken Gochenour, state wildlife officers and a county deputy sheriff seized 2,700 galax stems at the time of the arrests. All five were released on bonds. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 2/2]
On February 2nd, rangers Terry Morris and Brian Stackowicz came upon a number of people harvesting galax in the park's Pisgah District. All of them fled and were able to escape. Over 20,000 stems were seized from a roadside cache. On February 5th, Morris stopped two vehicles on the parkway. They were occupied by five Mexican nationals, who had about 20,000 galax stems in their possession. They are to appear in federal magistrate's court in Asheville. Galax is an evergreen ground cover plant that is used in the floral industry. The leaves range from bright green to a deep burnt red in color, depending on the season. Reduced populations on Forest Service lands, a growing international market, and an available labor pool have resulted in increased pressure on galax growing in the park. Seizures over the past two weeks totaled more than 60,000 stems. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 2/9]
Two people were sitting in a Monte Carlo sedan at the Mason Knob overlook at 1 a.m. on April 8th when two men in a dark-colored Mitsubishi Mirage pulled into the overlook. They got out of the Mirage and approached the Monte Carlo; the driver attempted to leave the area, but his car stalled. One of the men held the passenger at gunpoint with a semi-automatic handgun while the second man took $60, a wedding ring and the car keys from the driver. The two men then left the overlook and headed south on the parkway. Ranger Steve Buxton and Roanoke County officers responded. The incident is under investigation. [John Garrison, LES, BLRI, 4/29]
On May 1st, ranger Zeph Cunningham was seeking the source of a fire that had burned eleven acres on the east slope of Humpback Mountain the previous day (see "NPS Fires" below) when he came upon wreckage from a small aircraft. A joint investigation by the NPS, NTSB, FAA and Virginia State Police revealed that the plane had evidently gone down on April 30th. Forensic specialists working with the Virginia Medical Examiner's Office retrieved some of the pilot's remains. It appears that the victim was an 80-year-old doctor from Pennsylvania. The investigation continues to confirm the number of possible occupants of the plane. [Gordon Wissinger, BLRI, 5/4]
On July 21st, R.H. was traveling southbound on the parkway near milepost 120 when he was shot in the right temple by a pellet from a pellet gun. Witnesses said that a juvenile had been seen standing at the wood line and that he ran after the shooting. A suspect has been identified from a nearby neighborhood. R.H. was treated and released from Roanoke Memorial Hospital. After being released, he was taken into custody on five outstanding warrants. Ranger Steve Buxton is investigation along with Roanoke County PD officers. [Ed Clark, SPR, Plateau District, BLRI, 7/24]
Civil engineer technician S.G. died on July 24th as a result of a motor vehicle accident on I-40 near Asheville, North Carolina. She had been at the park since transferring to the National Park Service from NOAA in 1981. Her son, J.R., was with her at the time of the accident and sustained serious injuries, but the prognosis is for a full recovery. S.G. is survived by her husband, M.G., who is an auto mechanic at Blue Ridge and worked in the Smokies as a member of the park's trail crew. S.G. was an extraordinary person, dedicated to the park and the mission of the NPS. Her sense of service extended into her personal life, where she was an active supporter of her church, the high school band, and Boy Scouts. S.G.'s vehicle was struck by another being driven by a drunk driver. The defendant, a habitual DWI offender, has been charged with second-degree murder. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 8/9]
J.N.G. and his brother R.N.G. (both undocumented aliens) were arrested on July 31st near Milepost 350. At the time of apprehension, they had about 7,500 galax stems in their possession. They were found guilty in magistrate's court on August 1st and ordered to pay $1,200 in fines and restitution. One was also given a 30-day prison term. The two men had criminal histories that included driving under the influence, possession of controlled substances, hit and run, and giving false information to officers. Rangers Larry Johnson and John Anthony were the case rangers. On August 3rd, G.G.-R. of Burnsville, North Carolina, was arrested for taking native plants for commercial uses. He had several thousand galax stems in his possession. He was sentenced to two months in jail on August 6th. G.G.-R. has two prior convictions for galax possession in the park. Supervisory ranger Terry Morris and ranger Brian Stackowicz were the case rangers. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 8/9]
On July 2nd, J.C. of Richardson, Texas, died of injuries received in a motorcycle collision at Milepost 462. Kirby Styles of Great Smokies NP is the case ranger. A.S. of Dallas, North Carolina, died of injuries received in a single vehicle collision at Milepost 407 on August 5th. A.S. was a passenger in the vehicle and was ejected as it traveled several hundred feet down a steep and heavily timbered slope. John Anthony is the case ranger. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 8/9]
On the morning of July 12th, rangers from Blue Ridge and Great Smokies responded to a report of an unresponsive person in a vehicle at Milepost 460. They found the body of a woman from Maggie Valley, North Carolina. She had died from a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound. SA John Mattox from Great Smokies is the case agent; supervisory ranger Don Coleman (BLRI) and ranger Walt West (GRSM) assisted. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 8/9]
On Friday, August 17th, rangers received a "be on the lookout" notice for B.G., 56, of Nelson County, Virginia. Warrants had been issued for B.G. charging her with first degree murder, and she was reported to be armed and dangerous. On the 18th, B.G. called Virginia State Police by cell phone and reported that she'd been in an accident on the parkway near Bald Mountain. Ranger Mark Gall searched the area and found where her vehicle had gone off the parkway near milepost 21. B.G. was still in the vehicle, which was about 600 feet over the side of the mountain. Gall and officers from the Forest Service and Nelson County Sheriff's Department placed B.G. in custody without incident. She was taken to a local hospital and treated for minor injuries. She remains in the custody of the sheriff's department. [John Garrison, LES, BLRI, 8/20]
On October 8th, ranger Greg Johnston received a missing person report from a volunteer rescue department in Cana, Virginia. J.S., 19, of Mt. Airy, North Carolina, had left his family cabin between 8:30 and 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 6th, but failed to arrive at his destination. Johnston checked the likely path J.S. would have traveled and found a wrecked 1996 Nissan truck near milepost 191 with J.S.'s body inside. Evidence indicated that he lost control of the vehicle and struck a tree and was killed instantly. Although the truck was only 30 feet from the side of the road, it was covered by tree branches and not readily visible from the parkway. [John Garrison, LES, BLRI, 10/18]
On Sunday, October 21st, a citizen called the park's emergency number and reported that a small plastic bag containing white powder had broken open in the grassy area between Pine Tree overlook and the parkway. Rangers confirmed the report. A section of the parkway was closed to facilitate containment of the area, minimize exposure to and distribution of the substance, and make it possible for rangers to contact visitors within the area. The emergency coordinator and an investigator from Bedford County joined the team at the scene. Evidence was collected and decontamination procedures were undertaken. The initial results from the state lab in Richmond revealed that there were no anthrax spores. Approximately 200 visitors are being contacted and advised of the results of the testing. The incident occurred on one of the heaviest visitation days of the year. Supervisory ranger Gene Parker was IC. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 10/24]
T.L., an engineer with the Federal Highway Administration, was injured when he was struck and dragged by a car near Ox Creek Gap on the afternoon of Wednesday, 24th. T.L. was flown to Mission Hospital in Asheville, were he was listed in critical condition at the time of the report. Ranger Larry Johnson is the case ranger. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 10/24]
On October 30th, G.L. and H.L. were apprehended with 7,500 galax stems in their possession as they were leaving the park. The galax was found during a search of their vehicle. Both men are in the country illegally and carried no form of identification. The area of the park in which the violation occurred is near Mt. Mitchell, a state park that contains some of the largest populations of this plant. Forest Service areas with similar habitat are reporting heavy declines in the plant's population. Galax is used exclusively in the floral industry. Larry Johnson is the case ranger. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 11/8]
R.B. and K.S. got involved in a domestic dispute at their home in Amherst County on November 18th and decided to go to the parkway to talk. They stopped at the Metz Run overlook near milepost 129. After some time there, R.B. was stabbed a single time in her left hand with a pocket knife. K.S. drove her to the hospital for treatment. R.B. was too afraid of K.S. to tell the staff at the hospital what had happened, so phoned the park's emergency number after getting home to report the stabbing. Ranger Ed Clark is the investigating ranger. [John Garrison, LES, BLRI, 11/27]
Resource management specialist Jim Basinger happened upon a man walking along a remote section of the parkway on the afternoon of December 6th. He felt that there was something unusual about him and summoned a law enforcement ranger. Due to the lengthy response time, Basinger drove back to the area and began talking with the man from his vehicle. The man - subsequently identified as J.G. of Stuarts Draft, Virginia, a small community adjacent to the park - told Basinger that he'd killed someone, and that he intended to kill himself. Basinger determined that J.G. had an edged weapon in his possession, so left the area. A Wintergreen PD officer was first on the scene and took J.G. into custody without incident. Investigators determined that J.G.'s grandmother had been killed in her home with a blunt instrument; they also determined that J.G. may have been involved in car clouts in the area. A multi-agency investigation is underway. The case ranger is DR Bruce Bytnar. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 12/7]
The park was notified of a vehicle fire off the parkway near milepost 369 on the afternoon of February 25th. Ranger Tim Francis was notified and responded along with Rusty Bradley, the superintendent of a nearby state park. Bradley was on scene within 20 minutes and found that the driver had died in the accident. Ranger Terry Morris, two local fire departments and state forestry personnel assisted with fire suppression. The driver was identified as 18-year-old E.W. of Orlando, Florida. He appeared to have died on impact after the vehicle traveled about 300 feet down the embankment. The body was recovered and removed, and the one-acre fire was contained by 6 p.m. [Donna Wray, BLRI, 2/26]
On March 16th, rangers from the Ridge District began a surveillance operation in the James River area after having received information on drag racing at that location. Shortly after midnight, several vehicles arrived at the designated area and proceeded to drag race across the James River bridge. The rangers left their observation posts, stopped the vehicles, and detained and identified drivers, passengers, and spectators. A total of ten vehicles and twenty people were involved. The event was well organized, with designated flaggers and lookouts. Inspection of the vehicles showed that several were outfitted with nitrous oxide systems. Several of the drivers attempted to flee when the rangers identified themselves. Rangers Gene Parker and Zeph Cunningham were almost struck by cars as they attempted to stop them. Several charges are pending under both federal and state laws; the latter include forfeiture of vehicles used in drag racing. Federal charges may include assault on a federal officer. The assistant U.S. attorney will decide on whether or not to pursue seizure of vehicles as the case develops. This case will aid several local agencies in their attempts to deal with similar races that are occurring in their jurisdictions. Virginia State Police and the Amherst County Sheriff's Office assisted in the incident. Ranger Kathryn Brett is the lead investigator for the case. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 3/21]
Telecommunications equipment operator Duke Barr received a call from a Veterans Administration officer on March 16th, requesting address information on a male patient who had left the VA hospital in Asheville without being discharged (the VA is a cooperating agency with the NPS). The patient had recently undergone surgery, and had left the hospital with a catheter still attached to his carotid artery, putting him in a life-threatening situation. The name and address information that Barr obtained from the DCI terminal showed only a rural route number for the patient's address in Hendersonville. Barr called the Henderson County 911 center, which was unable to provide a physical address, then called the Edneyville FD to see if anyone there could help. People at the fire department recognized the name, knew the address, and responded. They found the man with the catheter still inserted into his neck. He was stabilized and transported to the local emergency room for treatment, then returned to the VA hospital for follow-up care. [John Garrison, Protection Specialist, BLRI, 3/21]
Gr.L. and Go.L. of Bassett, Virginia, were apprehended in the park on April 5th with about 900 "ramps" (a plant, Allium tricoccum) in their possession. The ramps, an onion/leek favored by both residents of the southern Appalachians and by gourmets, were taken from the park for commercial sale. The collection of ramps is a spring tradition for many people, but commercial collection has been on the increase as the plant has become a popular item at ramp festivals and in restaurants across the eastern U.S. Wholesale prices for ramps range from $5 per pound unprocessed to $13 per pound processed; retail prices are about four times as high. The growing popularity of ramps has placed this plant under intense and unsustainable pressure. A significant body of work on the status of ramps has been done by the resource management staff at Great Smoky Mountains NP. The case ranger is Greg Johnston. [John Garrison, LES, BLRI, 4/16]
Ranger Steve Buxton investigated a dumping incident in the park on the morning of April 8th which led to the discovery of discarded manufacturing equipment - and 99 marijuana plants. A suspect was also identified, and a check on him led to the discovery that there were active warrants against him and that he had an extensive history of trafficking in controlled substances. Buxton, DEA agents, and Roanoke officers conducted a "knock and talk" with the suspect at his residence. He was in the process of packing to move out of the state when contacted. Through information obtained during the interview, plain view observations, and a consent search, Buxton and the officers found and seized more than two pounds of processed marijuana, 102 cakes of mushrooms, and a .40 caliber handgun with an altered serial number. The man was taken into custody on local charges; federal charges are being reviewed. Buxton is the case ranger. [John Garrison, LES, BLRI, 4/18]
Two people were seriously injured and a third killed in a single-vehicle accident near milepost 344. The vehicle left the parkway and came to rest about 60 feet down a steep embankment. B.J.K. and K.T. were flown to separate North Carolina hospitals; A.W., 22, was ejected from the vehicle and killed. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. [John Garrison, LES, BLRI, 4/26]
A visitor discovered a body under a brush pile about 200 feet below the Poagues Mill overlook on the evening of May 5th while searching for a lost frisbee. The terrain at that location is very steep, and the body was at the edge of the timber. Due to the terrain and the heavy slash left from vista clearing, rangers waited until daylight the following morning to begin recovery. An FBI response team is currently recovering evidence at the scene. Roanoke County PD and the Virginia State Police are assisting. The death has been ruled a homicide. [John Garrison, LES, BLRI, 5/6]
On May 7th, W.S., 77, of Canton, Ohio, died of injuries sustained in a single-vehicle accident that had occurred on the parkway near Sparta, North Carolina, in April. Based on the ensuing investigation and witness statements, rangers determined that the accident had occurred due to failure to maintain control of the vehicle. W.S. wife, B., was not injured. [John Garrison, LES, BLRI, 5/7]
A visitor found the body of a woman under the canoe racks at the concession operation on Price Lake on the afternoon of Thursday, May 16th. Rangers found several empty phials of over-the-counter sleeping aids and an opened bottle of whiskey nearby. Identification found on the 45-year-old woman led to a missing person report which contained information regarding a history of disappearances and medical conditions. There were no signs of trauma or struggle. The medical examiner has ruled the death as a suicide, and estimated that the woman's body had been there for about 30 hours. [John Garrison, LES, BLRI, 5/17]
On the afternoon of May 31st, dispatch received a report of a possible falling fatality from a cliff within the park around MP 242 near Sparta, North Carolina. A visitor reported that he'd left his wife for a short period of time and that he was unable to find her when he returned. He then looked over a low rock wall and saw what he believed to be part of her clothing at the base of a near vertical drop of about 80 feet. Responding rangers and rescuers found that it was indeed his wife - K.S., 52, of Roanoke, Virginia - and that she had perished. An autopsy was conducted, which revealed the cause of death to be multiple blunt trauma. The area of the fall was not at an overlook. Ranger Brent Springer is the case ranger. [John Garrison, LES, BLRI, 6/5]
R.B., 60, and his adult son were traveling through the park on separate motorcycles on the evening of June 9th. R.B.'s son was ahead of him; when he noticed that his father was no longer with him, he returned and found R.B. and the motorcycle over an embankment. The bike evidently landed on R.B., and he was declared dead at the scene. Pete Schula is the case ranger. [John Garrison, LES, BLRI, 6/10]
On the afternoon of June 21st, a 911 call came into the park reporting that a partially-nude woman was running down the parkway, screaming for help, and that she was being chased by a partially-nude man. Rangers and officers from several agencies responded, but couldn't find either party. A short time later, A.B.H. called park dispatch, provided a statement about the incident, and agreed to wait at his office until rangers and Buncombe County deputies could arrive. The initial investigation was headed by the park. Meanwhile, information was received that the woman had been taken to an area hospital by a passing motorist. Later that evening, A.B.H. directed rangers to a crime scene that was off park land, so the case shifted to the sheriff's office. A.B.H. was arrested by county detectives the next day and charged with rape in the second degree. A follow-up investigation revealed that the sexual assault had actually taken place in the park. Since A.B.H. had been charged in the state system and the park and state have concurrent jurisdiction, the charges were allowed to stand. A.B.H. is a private provider of therapy and counseling for emotional and mental health issues; the victim is a professional associate. Mike Clarke is the case ranger. [John Garrison, LES, BLRI, 6/25]
A local woman attempted to make a purchase from the Mabery Mill gift shop on March 24th. Included in the purchase were 16 pieces of jewelry ranging in price from $35 to $100 each. After the credit card she attempted to use was rejected, the woman grabbed the jewelry and fled in her vehicle. The clerk was able to get the license plate number. Ranger Greg Johnson responded and found the woman at her home. According to the woman's husband, she had been off the medication she was taking for mental illness for some time and refused to take it. All of the merchandise, valued at $800, was recovered. Discussions are underway with the concessioner and AUSA on whether or not to charge the woman. Prosecution may be waived if she agrees to enter a mental health program. [John Garrison, LES, BLRI, 6/25]
Fishermen on the Roanoke River found the body of a man along the river bank just below the Roanoke River Bridge on the evening of July 2nd. Evidence indicated that he jumped from the 170-foot high parkway bridge. The victim was identified as D.S., the husband of K.S., 52, who allegedly died from an accidental fall from a cliff within the park near milepost 242 on May 31st (02-216). That death had been reported by D.S., who said that he'd left his wife for a short period of time and that he was unable to find her when he returned and looked for her. She'd fallen 80 feet to her death. The park and FBI are investigating her death; the park and Roanoke County PD are investigating his death. [John Garrison, LES, BLRI, 7/3]
J.K., 65, of Tucker, Georgia, died on July 12th from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident that occurred on the parkway on May 12th. His passenger, J.G., sustained only minor injuries. The case ranger is supervisory park ranger Terry Morris. [John Garrison, LES, BLRI]
On the afternoon of August 25th, an Avery County police officer contacted the park and reported a knife fight that had occurred the previous evening at the Beacon Heights overlook. The police department had learned of the fight when T.B., 47, showed up at the Cannon Memorial Hospital in T.B. Elk with a severe laceration to his throat. T.B. reported that he'd been attacked by D.G., 32, and that D.G. had driven T.B. to the hospital parking lot and left him there. T.B.'s 18-year-old son had also been at the overlook and had witnessed the incident. Four rangers joined Avery County officers in the investigation. D.G. was found and taken into custody and charged under Title 18 with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to commit serious bodily harm. Investigators subsequently determined that the two men had attacked each other with knives or some other sharp weapons, so T.B. is also being charged under the same 18 USC charge. Both were to appear in court this past Monday. [John Garrison, LES, BLRI]
R.S. of Elkton, Virginia, shot D.S. of Waynesboro during an altercation at the Greenstone Overlook some time before midnight on August 23rd. D.S. was struck by a single .38 caliber round that traveled through his torso, entering in front and exiting through his back. He drove to a local motel, where the desk clerk called 911. D.S. was taken by helicopter to UVA hospital, where he was last reported in stable condition. R.S. drove to the Waynesboro Police department to report the shooting and turn himself in. The exact circumstances of the altercation are not completely clear, since D.S. had not been interviewed at the time of the report. During the investigation, rangers learned from city officers that a man had been abducted, taken to the parkway, robbed, beaten and raped last November. Augusta County detectives have been investigating the incident since that time, partly in the park. This was the first time that anyone in the park had heard of the incident. [Bruce Bytnar, BLRI]
R.P., 53, of Vinton, Virginia, was heading north on the parkway on September 9 when his motorcycle struck a deer that had run in front of him. R.P. was knocked off the motorcycle and hit the pavement, skidding almost 150 feet before coming to rest. Two off-duty emergency room nurses arrived just minutes after the accident. They determined that he was not breathing, so opened his airway, permitting him to breath again on his own. R.P. was taken to Twin County Hospital and later transferred to Wake Forest University Baptist Trauma Center, where he died the next day due to head trauma and internal bleeding. [Submitted by Greg Johnston, Park Ranger, Blue Ridge Parkway]
On March 16, rangers from the Ridge District began a surveillance operation in the James River area after having received information on drag racing at that location. Shortly after midnight, several vehicles arrived at the designated area and proceeded to drag race across the James River bridge. The rangers left their observation posts, stopped the vehicles, and detained and identified drivers, passengers, and spectators. A total of ten vehicles and twenty people were involved. The event was well organized, with designated flaggers and lookouts. Inspection of the vehicles showed that several were outfitted with nitrous oxide systems. Several of the drivers attempted to flee when the rangers identified themselves. Rangers Gene Parker and Zeph Cunningham were almost struck by cars as they attempted to stop them. The incident led to the filing of numerous charges against the participants. On October 10 and 15, six of them entered guilty please under plea agreements and received the following sentences:
The magistrate advised all the defendants that they would face jail time if ever charged with any traffic violation in the park at any time in the future. Ranger Kathryn Brett was lead investigator in this case. [Submitted by John Garrison, Law Enforcement Specialist]
On the morning of April 3rd, dispatch received a report from a park
VIP of a body at the Beaver Dam Gap overlook at milepost 401. The body
of a 63-year-old man from Asheville was found at the edge of the
overlook next to his vehicle. It appeared that he'd ingested a large
quantity of prescription drugs, and he was also found to have cuts on
his wrists. A note at his residence indicated that he had intended to
take his life. His wife was notified by rangers at the same time that
she was reporting her missing husband to local officials. DR Tim Francis
is the investigating ranger.
Over the course of the three-month period from August to October last
year, law enforcement rangers on the parkway stepped up traffic
enforcement in an effort to reduce the number of accidents on that road.
Motor vehicle collisions and associated deaths and injuries have been on
a steady rise. In 2001, there were 445 accidents in the park, an overall
increase of 45% from previous years. During the five year period
culminating in 2001, there were an average of 250 serious injuries and
nine fatalities per year. Many of the accidents occurred on weekends
over the late summer and early fall. Last August, rangers began their
effort to decrease accidents, christened "Operation Farthing" after Park
Police officer Hakim Farthing, who was killed while working a fatal car
crash last summer. All available LE rangers began patrolling the
parkway. The focus of the operation was Saturdays and Sundays from 11
a.m. to 7 p.m. from August to October. The objective was delineated by
Gordon Wissinger, the park's chief ranger: "Increased attention to
traffic enforcement was designed to encourage motorists to be more
attentive to their driving." There were 150 accidents over the
three-month period, an 11% decrease from the 170 reported during the
same period in 2001. Said Wissinger: "While many factors contribute to
accident frequency, we are very encouraged by the reversal in the trend.
I feel that, by our increased efforts, more visitors to the parkway are
enjoying their trip rather than having it marred by accidents and
injuries."
Ranger Chip Buchanan was investigating a suspicious vehicle on April
29th when he came upon three men in the woods near Mount Pisgah. They
had three garbage bags containing about 12,500 galax leaves in their
possession. Galax is an evergreen ground cover plant that is used in the
floral industry. The leaves range from bright green to a deep burnt red
color, depending on the season. Reduced populations on Forest Service
lands, a growing international market, and an available labor pool have
resulted in increased pressure on galax growing in the park. All three
were charged with violations of natural resource preservation
regulations and will appear in court at a later date. Two of the three
are juveniles.
On May 25th, ranger Ted Morlock learned of a vehicle off the road
near MP 284. He found a car 150 feet below the parkway in a steep and
heavily-vegetated area. The body of J.D.B. of Wilkesboro was
found inside. The coroner has placed the time of death as some time on
May 23rd, which matches J.D.B.'s known travel plans.
Ranger Ted Morlock contacted two people in a parked vehicle at an
overlook at MP 277 near Boone, North Carolina, on May 23rd. A knife and
ammunition were in plain view. Morlock obtained their permission to
conduct a consent search of the vehicle, which led to the discovery of
significant drug paraphernalia, drugs, a handgun, apparatus, chemicals,
and containers with active methamphetamine production in progress.
J.M. and K.T. were arrested and charged with possession
of a controlled substance. The car was seized and secured until a
certified team could process it. On May 29th, a search warrant was
executed on the vehicle by rangers and agents from the North Carolina
State Bureau of Investigation. Evidence was found and seized for lab
analysis. The investigation continues.
J.M., 69, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Roanoke on
August 22nd on five counts of theft and possession of stolen property
stemming from an arrest for a car clout that occurred in the park. A
maintenance employee saw J.M. break into a motor home rented by
tourists from the Netherlands on July 28th. He called the incident in,
then followed J.M., keeping rangers advised of his location until
they could make a stop. The rangers found numerous stolen items in
J.M.'s vehicle and discovered that his license plate was rigged to
be flipped down and unreadable. A Shenandoah NP ranger was called in to
assist with the investigation. Over the next several days, rangers from
the two parks began making connections with clouts that had occurred
from Pennsylvania to Georgia. NPS special agents were then brought in
who contacted other agencies and jurisdictions. Some of the items were
linked to three other vehicle break-ins from areas near the park.
Investigators are continuing in their efforts to link the remaining
items to other thefts. The indictment charges J.M. with possessing
stolen property, theft, possessing burglary tools, destruction of
property, and failing to display a license plate properly, all of which
occurred on federal property. If convicted of the charges, the maximum
penalty faced by the defendant is up to three years imprisonment and a
fine of $250,000 for possessing stolen property, up to one year of
imprisonment and a fine of $100,000 for theft, up to ten years
imprisonment and a fine of $2,500 for possessing burglary tools, up to
six months imprisonment and a fine of $5,000 for destruction of
property, and a fine of $200 for failing to display his license plate
properly.
J.M. and C.M. were riding up the parkway on their
motorcycle on August 17th when it went off the road on a curve and
crashed. J.M., who was operating the bike, sustained only minor
injuries, but C.M. was seriously injured and had to be medevaced
to the University of Virginia Hospital. She died two days later. Kathryn
Brett was the case ranger.
R.M.S. was found guilty of malicious wounding and use
of a firearm in the commission of a felony in general district court in
August County, Virginia, on August 26th. On August 24, 2002, R.M.S.
shot Dana Swann at the parkway's Greenstone Overlook. R.M.S. wa
sentenced to seven years in prison for the malicious wounding conviction
and three years on the use of a firearm conviction. He was immediately
remanded to the Augusta County Sheriff's Department to immediately begin
serving his this sentence.
R.R. of Ohio and a friend were heading south on the
parkway on their motorcycles on the afternoon of September 4th when they
entered a sharp curve and were hit by a northbound pickup truck.
R.R. died at the scene; his companion was medevaced to Baptist
Hospital in Winston-Salem and was last reported to be in fair condition.
The driver of the pickup sustained minor injuries. The investigation
continues. The case ranger is Brent Pennington from the Highlands
District.
The driver of a vehicle passing through Tanbark Tunnel at MM 370 on
the parkway lost control of his car, which glanced off the right wall,
veered into the center of the road, then turned sharply back into the
right tunnel wall and struck it at a 45 degree angle. Killed were M.M.,
79, and M.R., 87; injured were the driver, J.M.,
81, F.M., 82, and H.M., 84. The driver was the brother
of both of the women who were killed. All five were from Habersham
County, Georgia, and were members of a vocal group that has been
included in recordings collected by the Smithsonian. The case ranger is
Mike Clarke.
The park received a report of a man crossing the guardrail on the
Roanoke River Bridge on Thursday, October 16th. Rangers could not find
him or his body. Search teams, including divers, were brought in, and
the body of the 55-year-old man was found on the following day. All
indications are that his death was a suicide. The case ranger is Steve
Buxton.
B.B., 26, of Durham, North Carolina, fell about 100 feet off
the falls on October 25th and sustained multiple injuries. A technical
evacuation and medical air transport were required. The case ranger was
Ted Morlock.
Just after 1 a.m. on November 11th, a Floyd County deputy sheriff was
patrolling a remote section of the county, investigating reports of
illegal night hunting of deer, and continued his patrol on the parkway.
He came upon a pickup truck parked at the Devil's Backbone overlook and
contacted the two occupants. The deputy checked the license plate, which
came back as wanted. The man and woman then attempted to flee, with the
woman placing the truck in reverse and trying to hit the deputy. He drew
his weapon and fired one round into the truck's left rear tire. A
pursuit ensued in which the truck went off the parkway and wrecked. Both
occupants fled. Follow-up investigation revealed that the truck had been
stolen in North Carolina and the license plate had been stolen in
Virginia. Items in the pickup indicated that the pair had been using
secondary roads and perhaps public lands for a time and were living out
of the truck. This section of the parkway is under concurrent
jurisdiction with Virginia. An internal investigation by the sheriff's
office and review by the commonwealth attorney have confirmed that the
deputy's use of force was justified.
A car driven by E.T., 22, of Vinton, Virginia, went off the
road and down an embankment near milepost 113 at 3:30 a.m. on November
20th. E.T. was ejected from the vehicle and found underneath it.
Indications are that alcohol may have been a contributing factor. Steve
Buxton is the case ranger.
Ranger Ben Hansel came upon a truck parked in the roadway exit of the
Chestoa view overlook with its lights off on the evening of January
23rd. He stopped to check it and found that it was occupied by a naked
man covered with baby oil who had a pair of women's underwear at his
feet. Hansel asked for identification, then noticed what he believed to
be a crack pipe in the driver's side handle compartment. When Hansel
reached for the pipe, the driver, M.B., grabbed and crushed
it, cutting his hand on the broken glass. M.B. then attempted to
start the truck and drive off, but Hansel pulled the keys from the
ignition. A struggle ensued. Hansel ordered M.B. to keep his hands
on the steering wheel, but M.B. refused to comply and kept reaching
under the seat. Hansel used OC spray on M.B., then handcuffed him.
Hansel searched the vehicle and turned up pornography, drug
paraphernalia, and several suspected narcotics, including crack cocaine,
several different unidentified pills in plastic bags, and sugar tablets
in small tin boxes that may be LSD. M.B. was treated for lacerations
and the effects of the OC spray. Ranger Brian Stackowicz assisted with
transporting the prisoner to a local jail, where charges were filed.
Hansel was not injured in the incident.
Ranger Greg Johnston stopped to check a vehicle parked at Piedmont
Overlook on December 29th. As he approached it, he smelled marijuana
issuing from its open window. During a search of the vehicle, Johnston
found and seized marijuana, Valium and a .22 caliber derringer hidden in
the driver's purse. E.B. was arrested for drug and firearms
violations and subsequently indicted by a federal grand jury on felony
counts of distribution of a controlled substance (21 USC 8419(a)(1)) and
prohibited possession of a firearm (18 USC 922 (g)(3)).
A park maintenance employee came upon a vehicle parked in the woods
near the Humpback Gap overlook earlier this month. A check of the
vehicle on NCIC resulted in a hit for a missing person from Stuarts
Draft, Virginia. Rangers Bruce Bytnar and Zeph Cunningham were first on
scene. A hasty search team was formed that included officers from three
local agencies, a dog team and a state police helicopter with an
infrared sensing unit. A search was begun that afternoon, but was
terminated before dusk due to severe weather. A larger search was set
for the following day, but family members began their own search after
midnight. Several hours later, they found
the body of the victim off a social trail. A joint investigation is
being conducted by the park and the Nelson County Sheriff's Office.
There's no indication of foul play. Ranger Vince Clarks is the NPS
investigator.
On February 15th, ranger Ken Gochenour was notified by Ash County of
a vehicle parked on the parkway. Gochenour checked it and found that the
tags were stolen. He contacted a North Carolina State Bureau of
Investigations agent, who said that the vehicle might be associated with
a nearby residence and people involved in the illegal manufacture of
methamphetamine. Four days later, rangers, SBI agents, an SBI tactical
response team and county deputies executed a search warrant on the
residence. The arrested one person for possession of methamphetamine and
drug paraphernalia, and another on a felony warrant involving another
methamphetamine lab.
On the evening of February 24th, D.F. called the
Amherst County Sheriff's Office and reported that his wife, C.F., was
missing. He'd last talked with her via cell phone as she was driving
along the parkway in the Big Island District. He searched for her when
she failed to return home, and found her vehicle submerged in Otter Lake
the following morning. Rangers Gene Parker and Bobby Miller responded
along with local officers and rescue and fire personnel. Rescue squad
divers verified that the vehicle matched the description of
C.F.'s vehicle, but could not gain access to the car's interior. It
was removed from the lake, and her body was found inside. Parker served
as IC for the incident; Miller will investigate with county officers.
There is no suspicion of foul play at this time. [Chief Rangers Office]
On March 5th, ranger Gene Parker responded to Harvey's Knob overlook at MP 95.3, where an 18-year-old male had reportedly been injured in a 30- to 35-foot fall. Park coordinated rescue efforts with the Troutville Rescue Squad, Buchanan Rescue Squad, Blue Ridge Rescue Squad and Read Mountain Rescue Squad. The victim was brought up to the parkway through a technical litter raising, then transported to Roanoke Memorial Hospital. He suffered a ruptured spleen and head lacerations and is listed in stable condition[Submitted by Chief Rangers Office]
On the evening of Sunday, March 28th, ranger John Anthony found
partial human remains along a section of the parkway near Asheville. The
scene was secured until an interagency investigation could be begun the
following day. Additional human remains were found at several other
sites along the parkway and in Henderson County. The victim has been
identified as 49-year-old D.G. The investigation continues.
Ranger Mike Clarke attempted to stop a vehicle on the parkway on
March 27th, but the driver declined to pull over and a pursuit ensued.
It ended when Clarke chased the vehicle down a dead-end road. The driver
bailed out and fled on foot into the forest, but the male juvenile
passenger surrendered. Investigation revealed that the vehicle had
recently been stolen in Asheville. Dog teams from the Haywood County SO
and Asheville PD were brought in to search for the driver. Forest
Service and state wildlife officers also assisted in the search. The
driver was not found, but warrants have been issued for his
arrest.
A 31-year-old woman drove her car off the Rockfish Valley overlook in
an attempt to commit suicide just before midnight on April 1st.
Enforcement and emergency services personnel from Blue Ridge Parkway,
Shenandoah NP, Augusta County and Nelson County responded. The woman
sustained minor injuries and refused medical treatment. Nelson County
deputies took her to the University of Virginia Hospital for
psychological evaluation.
On the afternoon of June 2nd, park dispatch received a report of a
collision between a motorcycle and an SUV at milepost 71.3. Maintenance
employee Jim Holdren was fist on scene, and determined that the
operator, Marshall Martin, was unresponsive and had no pulse. Rangers
and EMS soon arrived on scene, and Martin was flown to Lynchburg General
Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Two occupants in the SUV
sustained minor injuries. Zeph Cunningham is the investigating
ranger.
Ranger Mike Fuller checked out a report of an accident at milepost
296.8 around 2 a.m.on June 4th. He found
that there had been a roll-over accident involving a 1995 Land Rover.
Drug paraphernalia were discovered inside the Land Rover, but the driver
was nowhere to be found. Fuller was subsequently contacted by an officer
at the Wautauga County Sheriff's Office, who advised that they had the
driver in their custody. It turned out that the driver had walked to the
city administration building to report the accident, and had chosen to
knock on the door of the on-duty magistrate. When the magistrate
answered the door, he detected a strong odor of alcohol on the driver
and called the sheriff's office. The driver admitted to drinking and
driving and submitted to an intoxilyzer test. Fuller issued citations
for DUI and drug possession.
The park received a report of a man attempting suicide at Humpback
Rocks on Sunday, June 13th. Augusta County deputies were first on scene
and were able to track him to his location at the top of a cliff. Prior
to contacting him, they learned that he'd been involved in a similar
incident two years previously in Denton, North Carolina. On that
occasion, he'd barricaded himself in his home with numerous weapons and
had held off a SWAT team for some time before surrendering. When the
deputies reached him, they found that he was armed with a knife and
threatening to kill anyone who came close to him. During this initial
contact, he repeatedly stabbed himself in the leg. With assistance from
the man's brother, deputies were able to convince him to move away from
the cliff and come back down to the hiking trail. Deputies and ranger
Marc Cyr lay in wait for him as he came down and were able to stun him
with a taser and take him into custody. He was taken to Augusta Medical
Center, Other agencies providing assistance included Shenandoah NP,
Dooms FD, and Waynesboro Rescue.
On June 10th, the Rockbridge County Sheriff's Office received a call
from the boyfriend of a woman who had gone to Robinson Gap to commit
suicide. He said that he'd been on the phone with her when he heard a
gunshot. A deputy responded and found her car at the House Mountain
overlook. She was slumped over the wheel and all the doors were locked.
The woman was pronounced dead at the scene. An investigation is underway
with the sheriff's office.
The park received a report of a man attempting suicide at Humpback
Rocks on Sunday, June 13th. Augusta County deputies were first on scene
and were able to track him to his location at the top of a cliff. Prior
to contacting him, they learned that he'd been involved in a similar
incident two years previously in Denton, North Carolina. On that
occasion, he'd barricaded himself in his home with numerous weapons and
had held off a SWAT team for some time before surrendering. When the
deputies reached him, they found that he was armed with a knife and
threatening to kill anyone who came close to him. During this initial
contact, he repeatedly stabbed himself in the leg. With assistance from
the man's brother, deputies were able to convince him to move away from
the cliff and come back down to the hiking trail. Deputies and ranger
Marc Cyr lay in wait for him as he came down and were able to stun him
with a taser and take him into custody. He was taken to Augusta Medical
Center, Other agencies providing assistance included Shenandoah NP,
Dooms FD, and Waynesboro Rescue.
A private plane went down in Buncombe County on the night of
Thursday, June 24th. The county emergency operations center contacted
ranger Tim Francis early on Friday morning and told him that the plane
might have crashed in the park near Craggy Garden Visitor Center.
Meanwhile, the pilot had walked from the crash site to a local residence
and called 911. He reported that there was still a passenger in the
plane and that the passenger had a broken leg and possible spinal
injury. He was able to lead a search and rescue crew to the crash site,
which was near Rattlesnake Lodge at milepost 374. Rescuers stabilized
the passenger and evacuated him to the parkway via a park trail. He was
then taken to a hospital in Asheville. Ranger Tim Francis is working
with the FAA on the crash site investigation.
On June 28th, Atlanta Aircraft Recovery removed the wreckage of the
plane that crashed near Rattlesnake Lodge on June 26th. As previously
noted, the pilot was not hurt; the injured passenger remains in stable
condition and is expected to make a full recovery. Weather is considered
to have been a contributing factor.
A 37-year-old man was heading north on the parkway near the Tanbark
Ridge overlook (MP 376.7) on the afternoon of June 26th when he drove
off the road and hit the guardrail, suffering severe trauma to his head
and chest. He was taken to Mission Hospital in Asheville, where he was
pronounced dead. Rangers Tim Francis and John Anthony responded; Anthony
lead the investigation. Buncombe County EMS also
responded.
During the second full week of July, rangers dealt with several incidents involving motorcyclists in the park: July 11 — Ranger Kathryn Brett investigated a motorcycle accident near milepost 67. A group of three riders were heading north on the parkway when one of them veered off the road while negotiating a curve and hit a guardrail. He died from traumatic injuries sustained in the accident, but his passenger suffered only minor injuries. Brett led the investigation, with assistance from a Virginia State Police accident reconstruction team. They determined that speed was a contributing factor. July 15 — Ranger Kevin Ulery saw a group of three motorcyclists traveling at a high rate of speed near milepost 384. He attempted to stop them, but they declined to do so and a pursuit ensued. The chase ended when the trio left the parkway and escaped. On the next day, a young man was directed to the park's communication center to report a lost wallet. He talked to dispatcher Scott Cooper. Cooper began taking the report, but quickly realized that there were parts of the "lost wallet" story that didn't make sense. Although Cooper didn't know about the chase on the previous evening, he was able to get the man to admit that the wallet had been lost in a minor motorcycle accident — then got the man to also admit that the accident occurred as a result of the chase. Cooper passed the information on to Ulery, who was able to make a case against all three. Ulery issued $500 citations to each operator under a new supplemental forfeiture schedule that had just been approved by the court two days before. Under the new guidelines, aggravated speeding and careless and reckless driving while speeding now carry a $500 penalty. July 17 — Ranger Ken Gochenour was called out after-hours to a
motorcycle accident near milepost 245 on the morning of July 17th. The
initial report was that three motorcyclists were traveling together and
that one of them had hit a deer. Allegheny County EMS and Laurel Springs
VFD also responded. The victim, who sustained head and chest injuries,
was taken to a landing zone near Elk Knob Road, then flown to Wake
Forest Baptist University Hospital. As of July 18th, he was in critical
but stable condition with a collapsed lung, a broken rib and a
concussion. The accident is under investigation.
On July 10th, ranger Marcia Bowers received a report that someone had
driven up the Devil's Courthouse hiking trail in a truck and was now
stuck on the trail. When Bowers arrived, the driver and a passenger had
left. A search of the truck led to the discovery of a suicide note and
several weapons, including a loaded rifle. Bowers determined that the
driver and passenger had hitchhiked to Oteen, North Carolina, and that
the driver had checked himself into a VA hospital. Bowers interviewed
both the man and his pregnant wife and found out the following: The man
had planned to drive his full-sized truck all the way to the trail
summit, then either jump from the cliff or drive his truck off it. When
he could not get his truck over some stone steps on the trail, he left
it behind. His wife was able to convince him to go to the hospital and
seek treatment. He was charged with several violations, including
off-road driving, resource damage, careless driving and weapons
possession.
Rangers Greg Johnson and Kevin Kavanagh responded to a report of a
motorcycle accident at milepost 231 just before
8 p.m. on August 15th. A group of five motorcyclists had
entered the parkway at milepost 248 and were headed north towards
Virginia. The lead motorcyclist encountered three deer foraging on the
side of the road and signaled his compatriots to slow down. The second
and third riders did so, but the fourth was unable to stop and hit the
motorcycle in front of him. Both the operator and his passenger were
thrown from the bike. The passenger suffered head and neck trauma and
was pronounced dead at the scene; the operator sustained head trauma and
was flown to Wake Forest University Trauma Center. The operator of the
third motorcycle was arrested for DUI. Kavanagh is leading the
investigation.
As parks in Florida and Georgia continue to clean up from Hurricane Frances, they're keeping a weather eye on Hurricane Ivan — characterized by the National Hurricane Center as "an extremely dangerous Category 5 hurricane" with maximum sustained winds of nearly 160 mph and a barometric pressure of 27.20 — lower than Hurricane Andrew and eclipsed only by Hurricane Camille (1969) and the Florida Keys Labor Day Hurricane (1935). Meanwhile, parks along the Appalachians — particularly Blue Ridge Parkway — have been dealing with the deluge brought by the remnants of Frances. According to USGS, rainfall amounts of from 8 to 16 inches have been reported from western North Carolina (Phil Noblitt from Blue Ridge Parkway reports that the suburb of Asheville where he lives received 17 inches of rain in 36 hours). North Carolina DOT reports that more than 90 primary and secondary roads were impassable yesterday due to high water, and that I-40 was restricted in both directions due to a mud slide. Stream flows are very high in the area, some at hundred year levels. Here are today's reports, beginning with the hardest hit area and moving south: Blue Ridge Parkway — A half-dozen rockslides have severely damaged and forced the closure of sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway in western North Carolina. A number of visitor facilities along the length of the 469-mile scenic road have also been temporarily closed by wind, power outages and flood from the remnants of Hurricane Frances. Damage is less extensive along the Virginia portion of the parkway, and its hoped that it will be possible to reopen most visitor facilities today. The rockslides could force extended detours, however, while debris is removed and the destroyed road sections are reconstructed. In addition, the flooding Linville River extensively damaged the small visitor center at Linville Falls. Preliminary estimates of damage to the road and visitor facilities is $6 million. As of 5 p.m. Wednesday, the parkway in Virginia and most campgrounds, excluding Otter Creek, were open, as were the lodges and restaurants at Peaks of Otter and Doughton Park. The Pisgah Inn and restaurant are expected to reopen today. Most of the 13 visitor contact centers in North Carolina and Virginia were closed Wednesday because of power outages, the flooding at Linville Falls and flooding in the basement of historic Flat Top Manor at the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park. Most will reopen today if conditions permit. Road closures are as follows: Mile 317—331 between Linville Falls and Spruce Pine; mile 344-375 from NC Highway 80 to Ox Creek; and mile 393-443 between NC 191 near Asheville and Balsam Gap at Waynesville. Rockslides are at mileposts 322, 345, 348,349, 413 and 429. Most of those between mile 322 and 349 took out portions of the motor road, and this segment of the parkway, from just south of Linville Falls to south of Buck Creek Gap at NC 80 near Marion, may be closed for up to a year. The slides at 413 and 429 are also extensive but do not appear to have damaged the road's supporting structure significantly. Detour routes will be announced and posted. Full engineering assessments will be made early next week and road repair begun shortly thereafter. Based on reports from Ken Garvin, SERO; Bob DeGross, BICY; Brian Loadholtz, TIMU; Gary Bremen, BISC; Jerre Brumbelow, CUIS; Gordon Wilson, CASA/FOMA; Charlie Fenwick, DESO; Phil Noblitt, BLRI; Nancy Gray, GRSM; Jeanne Robbins, USGS
Recovery from the intense rains and more modest but strong winds of Hurricane Frances continues. Preparations for Hurricane Ivan, a Category 5 storm that the National Hurricane Center has characterized as "extremely dangerous," have begun in south Florida parks. The center is forecasting a high probability of landfall somewhere in that area by early next week. Here are the reports received yesterday: Blue Ridge Parkway — The parkway between Asheville and Mount Mitchell State Park to the north and Mt. Pisgah to the south reopened yesterday, as park staff continued to evaluate and repair damage caused by double-digit rainfall and strong winds associated with Frances. As of 4 p.m. Thursday, closures from rock and mudslides remained in effect from milepost 317 near Linville Falls to mile 325, from mile 344 at NC 80 near Marion to mile 355 at Mt. Mitchell State Park, and from mile 412 at US 276 south of Mt. Pisgah to mile 443 at US 23/74 near Waynesville. Maintenance crews hope to clear the slide at mile 429 between NC 215 and US 23/74 near Waynesville by sometime today. This would allow that section to be open for weekend travel. The other five slides are more severe and will take an extended period to clear and repair, especially those north of Mt. Mitchell, which may take up to a year. Parkway staff are also evaluating damage to trails, restrooms and the small visitor center at Linville Falls, which were flooded by the Linville River. Those planning to travel to or from the Parkway via US 276 should be aware that this highway is currently closed both east and west of its intersection with the parkway. NC 215 is closed to the west. Other state and federal highways in western North Carolina crossing the parkway have also been damaged and the public is encouraged to check with local transportation or law enforcement authorities to be sure roads that intersect the parkway are open. The Folk Art Center remained closed yesterday, but will reopen when water service is restored. The small visitor center at Craggy Gardens, closed yesterday because of water damage, is now open. The much more heavily damaged center at Linville Falls is not likely to reopen this year. The Pisgah Inn and restaurant reopened on Thursday. The motor road and all visitor facilities are now open from Linville Falls north to the northern end of the parkway near Waynesboro, Virginia. Reports from Ken Garvin, SERO; Phil Noblitt, BLRI; Linda Canzanelli, Superintendent, BISC; Carol Clark, Acting Superintendent, BICY/Larry Belles, FMO, BICY; Brian Loadholtz, TIMU/FOCA; Timothy Morgan, CANA.
Parks along the Gulf Coast are battened down and waiting out Ivan's passage. The Service's Eastern IMT is on standby for callout to any park(s) needing assistance, and the national and other regional teams are on call if further help should be required. Meanwhile, reports have been received from parks further inland that are facing the prospect of very heavy rains on top of all the precipitation dropped by Hurricane Frances. And Virgin Islands NP has sent a follow-up note about Tropical Storm Jeanne: Blue Ridge Parkway — Because of the now projected path of Hurricane Ivan into the southern Appalachians, additional sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway in western North Carolina were closed early Thursday evening. These included the sections between Bull Gap (milepost 375) near Asheville and Mount Mitchell State Park, from NC Highway 191 (mile 393) to NC 151 (mile 405) near Mount Pisgah, and from mile 412 at US Highway 276 to mile 469 at Cherokee. Campgrounds in North Carolina will also close this afternoon. Rangers and maintenance staff will monitor storm impacts, and gated sections and closed facilities will reopen as soon as conditions permit. The anticipated high winds and the heavy rain, which may persist through Sunday, come little more than a week after the remnants of Hurricane Frances dumped up to 20 inches of rain in some sections of western North Carolina and caused major rockslides and mudslides that took out several high elevation sections of the scenic road and created continuing closures. With the previously announced and additional closings, the parkway will be closed tomorrow evening as follows:
The parkway across the valley at Asheville remains open, and access to the Little Switzerland community is still available from NC 226. The Pisgah Inn and restaurant will remain open, but food and guest services will be limited. Access is to that facility is available from NC 151 and US 276. All other sections of the 469-mile parkway remain open, although other facilities and road sections will be closed if storm conditions warrant.
Early reports have been received from some areas. Gulf Islands NS has been hit hard enough to warrant outside assistance. Rick Brown's Type 2 Eastern IMT is accordingly mobilizing to head to Mississippi or Florida, depending on where the park feels that they'll be best positioned. Blue Ridge Parkway — The park has implemented ICS (John Garrison, IC) to manage response to flooding and winds associated with Ivan. Lines of communications between organization levels and divisions have been established and procedures for implementing closures and other storm related actions developed. Contingencies have also been developed to address possible loss of electric and water service. The National Weather Service has issued a flood warning for much of western North Carolina. Forecasts continue to call for rainfall amounts of 10 to 15 inches in the mountains, with some higher peaks expected to receive 18 inches along east or south-facing slopes. Winds should also increase tonight, with sustained velocities of 30 to 40 mph and gusts of up to 60 mph. With the likelihood of major flooding, Buncombe County, North Carolina, which includes the City of Asheville, declared a state of emergency yesterday morning. Park campgrounds, except for the one at Peaks of Otter, were closed on Thursday. All picnic areas, except for those at Peaks of Otter and Humpback Rocks north of Roanoke, were also closed. Several road closures have been added to those announced Wednesday. At this time, the parkway in Virginia is closed, or is being closed, from milepost 71-76, from Petites Gap to Apple Orchard Overlook and from mile 121-136, from US 220 at Roanoke to Adney Gap. North Carolina closures are as follows (other closures are possible and will be made as warranted):
Here's today's roundup of post-hurricane reports: Blue Ridge Parkway — Tropical Storm Ivan came sooner and left more quickly than expected, but its sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph and gusts of more than 60 mph, coupled with saturated ground, knocked down hundreds of tree and have forced the closure of sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway. As with Frances, this storm hit the western North Carolina parkway sections harder than those in Virginia. Many areas received upwards of 5 inches of rain, and the strong winds caused an estimated 600 to 800 trees to fall on the motor road in the Pisgah District between Linville Falls and Cherokee. Maintenance crews have cleared fallen trees from several sections of the parkway and the 469-mile scenic road is now open from mile 0 to mile 305 at Grandfather Mountain, from mile 308 just south of US 221 at the Linville community to mile 317 at Linville Falls, and from mile 325 just south north of Spruce Pine to 334 at Little Switzerland. With the exception of mile 382 to 384 between US 70 and US 74A at Asheville, the road is also open from 375 to mile 412 (US 276), and from 455 at US 19 near Maggie Valley to mile 469 at Cherokee. Additional sections between Asheville and Mt. Mitchell State Park are expected to open later this week. The Price Park campground and picnic area remain closed but may reopen later this week. Most visitor centers and concession-operated lodges and restaurants are open. Exceptions are the Museum of North Carolina Minerals, which has no electric service, and Crabtree Meadows, which received minor storm damage and is within a currently gated section of the parkway. Park headquarters has no electric or phone service and remains closed. Preliminary estimates indicate that it will cost $2 million to repair damage to the Blue Ridge Parkway by Ivan — far less than the $12 million inflicted by the remnants of Hurricane Frances just over a week ago. Clean-up and repairs from Ivan are largely from fallen trees and most are likely to be made in the coming weeks and months. The major slides that occurred during and shortly after Frances' tremendous rainfall included loss of road sections on steep slopes at high-elevation. These will require drilling and contracts for work that could take up to a year. Media interest in storm damage has been high and members of the region's travel and tourism community have voiced concerns that storm damage and lengthy closures will deter visitation. Compounding those concerns, a section of I-40 west of Waynesville, North Carolina, has been severely damaged by river erosion and NC DOT officials say they do not know how long those repair will take. Reports from Peter Givens, IO, Incident Management Team, GUIS; Nancy Poe, CHAT; John Stiner, CANA; Phil Noblitt, PIO, BLRI; Bill Halainen, IO, Incident Management Team, DEWA; Al Henry, Chief Ranger, UPDE.
Today's updates on Hurricane Ivan recovery operations follows: Blue Ridge Parkway — Aided by a fourth consecutive day of clear skies and mild temperatures, park maintenance crews yesterday continued clearing trees downed by Tropical Storm Ivan and rock falls left by the remnants of Hurricane Frances. The heavily traveled Asheville corridor is now open. The Federal Highway Administration has authorized Taylor and Murphy Construction Company to begin removal of the large rockslide at mile 413, south of the Parkway intersection with US 276 near Waynesville, and to construct an administrative road that would let employees of Mt. Mitchell State Park drive around the slide areas between that park and NC 80. Both projects are expected to be completed within 30 days. The construction near Mt. Mitchell will not open that section to the public, but clearing the slide at mile 413 would make it possible to open the parkway between Asheville and Cherokee. Most visitor centers and concessioner lodges and restaurants are now open or will be open again today. Exceptions are the Craggy Gardens visitor center and the campground and concession facilities at Crabtree Meadows. Campgrounds at Price Park, Linville Falls, Crabtree Meadows, and Mt. Pisgah are currently closed, but trees are being cleared and these facilities, excluding Linville Falls, may reopen by the weekend. Updates will be issued. Those who have questions about reservations or refunds for Price Park or Linville Falls campground should contact ReserveUSA at www.ReserveUSA.com or call 877-444-6777. Electric service to park headquarters was restored late Tuesday afternoon and employees who work at that office are on duty and available by phone and email. This ends a five-day power and telephone outage that hampered communications and forced members of the incident command team, administration and other employees to work out of the Pisgah District office at Oteen. The parkway is now open from mile 0 to 305 at Grandfather Mountain, mile 308 just south of US 221 at the Linville community to mile 317 at Linville Falls, and from mile 325 just south north of Spruce Pine to 334 at Little Switzerland. The road is also open from 375 at Ox Creek just north of Asheville to mile 412 (US 276), and from 443 at US 23/74 near Waynesville to mile 469 at Cherokee. Additional sections between Asheville and Mt. Mitchell State Park are expected to open next week. Reports from Peter Givens, IO, Incident Management Team, GUIS; Bill Halainen, IO, Incident Management Team, DEWA; Phil Noblitt, PIO, BLRI.
Today's updates on Hurricane Ivan recovery operations follows: Blue Ridge Parkway — Storm clean-up continues and the Blue Ridge Parkway between Little Switzerland and NC Highway 80 reopened yesterday afternoon. The parkway is now open
The contracted removal of the rockslide at mile 413 will begin on Monday. Access to the Shining Rock Wilderness Area is not available from the parkway. The 20-mile section between Mt. Mitchell State Park and Ox Creek is expected to reopen in about a week. Road status is updated daily on the park's information line at 828-298-0398. Additional facilities also reopened yesterday or will open today. These include most loops in the Price Park campground and the nearby picnic area, and the Mt. Pisgah campground. The campground at Crabtree Meadows remains closed, although the concessioner-operated gift shop and camp store should reopen by Saturday. Much of the water line at the Linville Falls campground has been replaced or repaired and this facility may reopen next week. Other facilities at Linville Falls sustained major damage and will not reopen this year. Those who have questions about reservations or refunds for Price Park or Linville Falls campground should contact ReserveUSA at www.ReserveUSA.com or call 877-444-6777. The popular Boone Fork and Price Lake trails at Price Memorial Park suffered significant storm damage, including the loss of two footbridges, and are closed. It is unlikely that additional openings will occur before next week. Updates will be issued as needed Reports from Peter Givens, IO, Incident Management Team, GUIS; Connie Backlund, Superintendent, CARL; Bill Halainen, IO, Incident Management Team, DEWA; Phil Noblitt, PIO, BLRI.
The following reports were received through yesterday evening: Blue Ridge Parkway — Park campgrounds in North Carolina and the Rocky Knob and Otter Creek campgrounds in Virginia were closed yesterday as the remnants of Jeanne approached the region. Most of the parkway between milepost 317 at Linville Falls and mile 469 at Cherokee was also closed. Exempted from this closure were segments from mile 325 to 344, which provides access to the Little Switzerland community, the heavily traveled Asheville corridor from the Folk Art Center to US 25 (Hendersonville Road), and mile 402 to 412 from NC Highway 151 to US 276, which provides access to the Pisgah Inn and restaurant. These sections were to remain open as conditions permitted. Closed sections of the road and campgrounds will be assessed today. Concessioner-operated lodges and restaurants, the Northwest Trading Post at Glendale Springs, the Museum of North Carolina Minerals at Spruce Pine, and the Folk Art Center at Asheville all remained open. Jeanne was expected to bring sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph and gusts at high elevations of up to 60 mph. Heavy rain was also expected. The National Weather Service issued a flood watch and high wind warning for western North Carolina, and the governor yesterday declared a state of emergency for the area from Asheville east to Raleigh. Maintenance crews have been working extended hours and over the weekend to make campground repairs and clear tree falls from Ivan. Most sections of the parkway, excluding those closed by rock and mudslides, should reopen this week if Jeanne does not create substantial additional damage. From reports by Ken Garvin, FMO, SERO; Mark Hardgrove, Deputy Superintendent, CAHA; Rick Clark, Plans Chief, IMT, and Gary Bremen, PIO, BISC; Charlie Fenwick, Superintendent, DESO; Steve Hurd, IC, IMT, EVER; Bruce W. Rosel, Maintenance Mechanic Foreman, CANA; Phil Noblitt, PAO, BLRI.
The following reports were received through yesterday evening: Blue Ridge Parkway — Tropical Depression Jeanne produced mostly minor flooding and some tree-falls along sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway, but rain was still falling along the parkway corridor in Virginia early yesterday afternoon and high winds were expected along the entire 469-mile scenic route. Because wind and saturated ground increase the danger of additional tree-falls, some high-elevation sections of the parkway and most campgrounds remained closed yesterday. They will likely reopen today. Mt. Mitchell State Park, which adjoins the parkway at mile 355, reported receiving 4.75 inches of rainfall from Jeanne, as compared to 18 inches from Ivan and 23 inches from Frances. Parkway sections in Virginia, which received relatively moderate rainfall in the first two storms, reported upwards of six inches of rainfall from Jeanne. As of 1 p.m. on Tuesday, the parkway was closed from milepost 317 at Linville Falls (US221) to mile 325 just north of NC 226 near Spruce Pine, from mile 344 at NC Highway 80 to mile 375 at Ox Creek just north of Asheville, and from mile 412 south of Mt. Pisgah (US 276) to mile 469 at Cherokee. Access remained open to the Little Switzerland community and to Mt. Pisgah; also open were the corridor in Asheville and all of the motor road from mile 0 in Virginia to mile 317. All campgrounds were closed, except for Roanoke Mountain and Peaks of Otter. Maintenance crews have been working 12-hour days and on weekends to repair facilities and remove trees downed by storms Frances and Ivan. Barring additional tree-falls yesterday, plans were to reopen the parkway today from Asheville to Mt. Mitchell State Park and from US 23/74 near Waynesville to Cherokee. Campgrounds in Virginia were also to reopen, along with those at Doughton Park, Price Park and Mt. Pisgah. From reports by Ken Garvin, FMO, SERO; Rick Clark, Plans Chief, IMT, BISC; Gordie Wilson, Superintendent, CASA/FOMA; John Breen, Superintendent, FOPU; Mike Tennent, Superintendent, FOFR; Norman Williams, IC, TIMU/FOCA; Connie Backlund, Superintendent, CARL; Bruce Ross, IC, CANA; Phil Noblitt, PAO, BLRI; Chris Nelson, PAO, DEWA.
The parkway reopened between Asheville and Mt. Mitchell State Park yesterday, as did the 26-mile section of the parkway between US23/74 near Waynesville and Cherokee. Campgrounds and picnic areas also reopened, except for the campground at Crabtree Meadows, which is expected to open Friday, and those at Linville Falls, where most facilities, including trails, visitor center and restrooms, will remain closed for the season. The water system at the Linville Falls campground is under repair, and this campground may reopen. An update will be issued if that occurs. The firm of Taylor and Murphy is removing the slide at mile 413, just south of US 276. Technicians with the Federal Highway Administration are also drilling at the collapsed roadway sections to determine the geological stability of those areas. This analysis is necessary before repairs can be engineered. Approximately 50 miles of the Parkway remain closed: From Linville Falls at US 221 to just north of NC 226 near Spruce Pine (mile 317-325), from NC 80 near Marion to Mt. Mitchell (mile 344-355), and from US 276 below Mt. Pisgah to US 23/74 near Waynesville (mile 412-443). All visitor centers and concessioner-operated facilities are open. Trails are being assessed; those at Price Lake and Boone Fork are closed. Updates on road and facility openings will be issued. Road
closures and conditions are also available by calling the park's
information line at 828-298-0398.
A park visitor called Nelson County 911 on the afternoon of July 4th
to report an unconscious and non-responsive woman in a vehicle at Afton
Mountain Overlook. The Rockfish Rescue Squad arrived first on the scene.
They confirmed that the woman was unconscious and determined that she'd
apparently overdosed on prescription medications. EMT's found a note
listing the medications (411 pills) that she had taken in an apparent
attempt to end her own life. She was transported to the Augusta Medical
Center, where she was last reported to be on a respirator in the ICU but
stable. Rangers are continuing the investigation and interviewing family
members.
On the afternoon of Monday, August 8th, ranger Brian Stackowicz was traveling south on US 221, a five-lane highway near Gilispie Gap Ranger Station, when he was involved in a collision with another vehicle. Road and weather conditions were a factor, as there was heavy rain in the area at the time of the accident. Brian was flown to Mission Memorial Hospital, where he will undergo a series of operations to correct injuries to both legs and his left arm. There's no indication of head, thoracic or abdominal injuries. Brian remained alert and oriented through the emergency response. Although trapped in his patrol car, he was able to call the incident in. His prognosis is good. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is the lead investigative agency, as the collision occurred outside of the park. [John Garrison, Chief Ranger]
Ranger Brian Stackowicz, who suffered serious leg and arm injuries in a collision with another vehicle on August 8th, remains in the ICU at Mission Memorial Hospital. He has undergone one of three scheduled orthopedic surgical procedures, with two remaining. His prognosis remains very good. Because he remains in the ICU, he cannot receive cards, flowers, calls or visitors. If you would like to send him get well wishes, however, the park is gathering cards and messages and will forward them to him when that becomes possible. Send them to him c/o Blue Ridge Parkway, 199 Hemphill Knob Road, Asheville, NC 28803, Attention: Teresa Lovelace. [John Garrison, Chief Ranger]
Ranger Brian Stackowicz, who suffered serious leg and arm injuries in a collision with another vehicle on August 8th, remains in the ICU at Mission Memorial Hospital but has gone through what will likely be his last round of surgery and is doing well. His left hip, femur, knee and arm were all repaired, and the surgeons said that everything went well and looks good. He will probably remain in the ICU through tomorrow. Brian's wife, Alisha, extends her sincere thanks to everyone for their calls and notes and support. Please send cards to Brian c/o Blue Ridge Parkway, 199 Hemphill Knob Road, Asheville, NC 28803, Attention: Teresa Lovelace. [Submitted by Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
Ranger Brian Stackowicz continues to improve and has been moved to a regular room at Memorial Mission Hospital, where he's been since his accident. The orthopedic surgery last week went well and he will have additional surgery on his left knee soon. Most likely he will move from the floor to a rehab center in the hospital in the near future. He remains affected by pain meds but is aware of visitors and is very responsive, although quickly fatigued. You can send cards and letters to Brian at Memorial Mission Hospital, Room 446, Asheville, NC 28801.[John Garrison, Chief Ranger]
On Sunday, August 21st, L.F., 57, of Forest, Virginia, beat his wife at their residence, took their two children against their will, and drove to Lynchburg, Virginia, where he shot a man who was allegedly having an affair with his wife. L.F. then telephoned his sister, telling her that he had hurt the children and that he was going to the Peaks of Otter on the Blue Ridge Parkway. L.F.'s vehicle was found in the Peaks of Otter Lodge parking lot. Ranger Zeph Cunningham responded with three Virginia State Police troopers. They checked the lodge and immediate area, but did not find L.F. They then began a sweep of the Abbott Lake trail. A young girl contacted Cunningham and informed him that a man was lying on the ground by the trail with a "nail hole in his stomach." Cunningham and the troopers then regrouped and developed a plan to tactically approach the site described by the girl. When they came to a point approximately 100 yards from the trail, they stopped to view the area ahead. They heard a single gunshot ahead of them from the trail. The officers then began to shout verbal commands, but received no response. There were no further shots. They found L.F. on the edge of the trail with an apparent gunshot wound to the head and a bullet wound to the abdomen. He had a .38 caliber pistol in his hand. L.F. was pronounced dead at the scene. The two children were found safe at another residence in Lynchburg. The wife and the man who was shot are expected to survive. No shots were fired by any law enforcement officers. It was later learned that L.F. had shot the man in Lynchburg with a .22 caliber pistol. They then fought over the pistol. The victim ultimately gained control and shot L.F. one time in the chest or abdomen. The .22 pistol was recovered a the residence in Lynchburg. Cunningham will remain as the lead investigator for the Park Service and coordinate with the Bedford County Sheriff's Department, Lynchburg PD, and the Campbell County Sheriff's Department. [Bruce W. Bytnar, Ridge District Ranger]
On August 19th, R.J., 56, of Stafford, Virginia was headed southbound on his motorcycle on the parkway. He entered a curve at mile post 19.5, lost control of the bike, and went off the right hand road edge onto a turf shoulder. The motorcycle fishtailed and came down on top of R.J., resulting in a severe skull fracture and other internal injuries. R.J.'s heart stopped while in the ambulance en route to a helispot to be airlifted. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. There is no indication of high speed at this time. Ranger Vince Clark is the assigned investigator for the Park Service. [Bruce W. Bytnar, Ridge District Ranger]
Ranger Brian Stackowicz continues to do well and is in the process of being moved to a facility near his home for a period of convalescing prior to starting a rehab program. He will not begin this program until his pelvis can support his weight, but will be working with his arm and other recovery issues. The long term outlook remains very good, with return to full duty the goal. Brian is a long way from that and is aware of what is in front of him and has the commitment to that goal. He has heard from many people from across the Service and extends his thanks and appreciation to everyone who's been in touch. Brian's next stop on his road to recovery: The Brian Center for Health and Rehabilitation, 218 Laurel Creek Court, Spruce Pine, NC 28777. [John Garrison, Chief Ranger]
Since last January, the park has made several significant drug seizures and arrests, primarily through special operations involving scheduled criminal interdiction patrols, checkpoints and "problem oriented policing." To date, a total of 395 misdemeanor and felony drug cases have been made involving possession and distribution of marijuana, methamphetamines, cocaine and prescription drugs. Contraband seized totaled 670 grams of drugs, as well as numerous firearms. A total of 150 people were arrested, including 17 fugitives or wanted individuals. In addition, a cooperative effort with state and local agencies in the park's Plateau District resulted in the discovery and eradication of over 9,000 marijuana plants, valued at $9 million, in Rock Castle Gorge. The above was achieved through excellent observation and information sharing, creative and pro-active scheduling, and targeting areas of known criminal activity. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
While investigating an unattended vehicle at a park overlook on October 18th, a ranger discovered the remains of a man about 100 feet downslope from the overlook. The cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, with the weapon found nearby. A suicide note was recovered from the vehicle. The victim has been identified as a 34-year-old man from Bryson City, North Carolina. [Submitted by John Garrison, Chief Ranger]
On the evening of October 15th, a woman was taken against her will from a bar/restaurant in Roanoke, Virginia, by her estranged boyfriend and driven away. While traveling on the roadways of Roanoke, he began hitting her in the face with his fist. When she tried to call 911 on her cell phone, he hung up the phone, then broke it and threw it out of the window of the vehicle. Hen then drove her to a restaurant parking lot in Vinton, where he continued to assault the woman outside of her car. He then drove onto the Blue Ridge Parkway. At the N&W Railroad Overlook, the stopped the car and once again assaulted the woman with his fists, telling her that he was going to kill the woman, her ex-husband, her son, and himself. He then put the now semi-conscious victim back into her car, and, while driving south on the parkway, pushed her out the door. She was taken to a local hospital and treated for cuts, abrasions (road rash) and minor head injuries. The incident is being investigated by the park, Vinton PD and Roanoke County PD. [Jon Murphy, Plateau District Ranger]
On Saturday, October 29th, a 32-year-old woman from Asheville, North Carolina, was abducted, taken to a spot just north of the French Broad River Bridge, and forcibly raped. A visitor found the partially-clothed woman running south along the parkway, stopped to help her, then notified authorities. The woman was able to provide a description of her assailant and the vehicle he was operating and also described items within the vehicle used during the attack. Rangers and FBI agents began an investigation and arrested a Candler, North Carolina, man on November 22nd. The arrest was based on the descriptions the woman provided and other evidence discovered during the course of the investigation. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On Sunday, November 27th, rangers received a report of an armed robbery that had occurred in the Afton Mountain Overlook at mile post 0 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Rangers interviewed the victim, a 50 year old man who had suffered a broken arm during the incident. According to his statement, he had just gotten out of his vehicle at the overlook between 4:30 and 5:00 pm when a man from another vehicle pointed a handgun at him. A second individual took his wallet and pushed him to the ground. Both suspects then left the area in a green sedan. There were no other witnesses. Rangers are continuing the investigation with the assistance of an NPS special agent and local agencies. [Bruce Bytnar, District Ranger]
Around 9 p.m. on Sunday, January 29th, rangers were asked to assist Watauga County Sheriff's Department officers in capturing a man who'd shot a deputy and was still at large and shooting at responding officers. The incident occurred near the town of Boone, close to the park boundary. Responding officers were eventually able to safely extract the injured deputy and transport him to a local hospital, but the remaining officers were pinned down by continuing gunfire. After shooting the deputy, the gunman positioned himself on a wooded hillside with a good view of approaching law enforcement units and began firing on them with a rifle. The gunman later barricaded himself inside a mobile home in a residential trailer park below the hill and continued firing at approaching vehicles and officers. A perimeter was established while officers from several responding law enforcement agencies arrived to assist. Two rangers were assigned to man a roadblock on the incident perimeter, while a third ranger equipped with night vision goggles approached the trailer with a team of other deputies. The ranger was positioned so that he could observe the only entrance to the trailer. Rifles were used to shoot out surrounding street lights to protect officers approaching the trailer and to improve the effectiveness of the night vision goggles. Other teams began evacuating surrounding trailers. The man was taken into custody by deputies and a ranger after about a three-hour standoff when he stepped outside of the trailer unarmed, but eating an apple with one hand and carrying a handful of Twinkies in the other. The deputy who was shot was hit in the arm. He was treated and released later that evening. Another shot from the man's handgun had hit him in the chest, but he was protected by personal body armor. Charges against his assailant are pending. [Brent Pennington, Highlands District Ranger]
On Friday, February 24th, rangers made a vehicle stop for a minor traffic violation near mile post 62. The stop resulted in the seizure of 12 grams of crack cocaine and marijuana packaged for distribution. The male driver was under the influence of drugs and alcohol and operating on a revoked license. He was also found to have an extensive criminal history dating back to the 1970's, including multiple assault and battery and resisting arrest convictions, and currently on bond pending sentencing for felony drug and assault charges with the state. The female passenger admitted to funding the purchase of the drugs so they could be re-sold to make a profit. Both are being held in federal custody pending grand jury indictments for possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute. [Bruce W. Bytnar, Ridge District Ranger]
The park had two fatal accidents last weekend. On Saturday, March 11th, a 31-year-old man from Raleigh, North Carolina, was killed when the vehicle he was operating left the road at the Hominy Valley Overlook (milepost 404.2). He was ejected upon impact. It appears that the vehicle was traveling northbound on the parkway at a high rate of speed when it veered into the overlook and over the side of the mountain. Investigation revealed that authorities in Raleigh had issued an "attempt to locate" bulletin on the driver and vehicle the day before, regarding the driver as suicidal. On Sunday, March 12th, a 44-year-old man from Fletcher, North Carolina, was killed when his Kawasaki motorcycle went off the road and hit a rock wall near Graveyard Fields (milepost 418.4). A companion who was riding with him said that they were going about 45 to 50 miles per hour when his friend failed to negotiate a curve and hit the rocks. [Tim Francis, District Ranger]
On Thursday, March 2nd, a 19-year-old Asheville man was arrested for fleeing to elude, resulting in a motor vehicle collision. The man was observed speeding and passing vehicles in a negligent and reckless manner. When the ranger tried to stop him, he sped up and continued to pass vehicles in curves and no passing zones. He hit another vehicle when he failed to yield right of way at an intersection, then left the parkway. A 'be on the lookout' message was immediately transmitted, including a description of the vehicle, its direction of travel, and the driver's possible residence. Within a few minutes, Asheville PD notified park dispatch that the car was at the suspect's residence. The investigating ranger drove there, obtained a statement, and arrested the man. No one was injured in the collision. [Tim Francis, District Ranger]
A 19-year-old woman who was driving down the parkway near mile marker 206 lost control of her vehicle and rolled it over around 3 a.m. on April 14th. The car was traveling southbound when its right side wheels dropped off the road edge. The driver attempted to correct, but lost control of the vehicle, which slid into an embankment and rolled over. A 20-year-old male passenger was killed and the driver sustained serious injuries. A 17-year-old male passenger in the back seat sustained minor injuries, but was able to pull the other two people from the vehicle. All three were from Mount Airy, North Carolina. An investigation is underway. The Roanoke Valley Regional Crash Team, an interagency task force involving NPS, state and local agencies, will be conducting a thorough investigation in coming days. [Steve Stinnett, Assistant Chief Ranger]
A ranger from the Plateau District was conducting traffic enforcement and drug interdiction investigations with a ranger trainee on the afternoon of April 7th. They stopped a car for a speeding offense, but the driver took off and attempted to elude them. He was eventually stopped on the parkway. The trainee interviewed the man and found inconsistencies in his story that were sufficient to establish enough reasonable suspicion to warrant a request for a consent search of the vehicle. During this consent search, the trainee noted a strong odor of marijuana emanating from both the passenger compartment and the car's trunk. The rangers found $4,000 in a concealed compartment in the trunk and another $2,787 in the driver's pants pocket. A bag was also found containing about two ounces of marijuana. The man was charged with simple possession and possession with intent to distribute under 21 USC. A search warrant was subsequently obtained for the data on his cellular phone. [Jon Murphy]
An apparent homicide occurred in Shelby, North Carolina, on the afternoon of Friday, April 21st, and a BOLO ("be on the lookout" message) was issued around midnight for a 48-year-old resident of that town and his vehicle. Earlier that Friday and prior to the issuance of the BOLO, a ranger noted a vehicle parked along the parkway that appeared to be out of place. The ranger checked the status of the vehicle through state and national computer systems at that time, but nothing unusual was found in the records and no one was around the vehicle. Once the BOLO was issued, an off-line check showed that the ranger had come across the vehicle, a white Ford Festiva. When the ranger was contacted by state and local investigators, he was able to take them to the Festiva's location. Drag marks were found in the woods leading away from the parkway. The area was secured, including a four-mile section of the parkway, in order to preserve the crime scene, and a multi-agency investigation was begun. The search for potential signs of a homicide, conducted with tracking dogs, led to the discovery of a partially buried body. It was after dark by this time, so the area was secured by rangers until the following morning, when North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Cleveland County and FBI agents processed the crime scene. The suspect was arrested by tribal police in Cherokee, North Carolina, on Sunday evening. The victim, who had been shot in the face with a shotgun, has been identified as a 59-year-old man who was a neighbor of his assailant. A search of the suspect's home led to the discovery of firearms, bomb materials and hand grenades. [Steve Stinnett, Assistant Chief Ranger]
A 29-yearold man from Asheville, North Carolina, was assaulted and robbed while taking pictures at the Haw Creek Valley overlook on Tuesday, April 25th. He told rangers that two men in a Toyota truck drove into the overlook as he was about to get into his vehicle and leave. They pulled him from his vehicle, hit him in the face, took his wallet and camera, and fled from the area. The man was able to provide descriptions of his assailant and their vehicle, but rangers were not able to find them. The victim sustained an injury to his left eye and left wrist. The investigation continues. [Tim Francis, District Ranger, Pisgah District]
Rangers spearheaded two very successful DUI checkpoints near Blowing Rock, North Carolina, on Friday, May 5th, and Saturday, May 6th. Eleven intoxicated drivers were removed from the road at the checkpoints. Eight rangers joined officers from several other agencies in this operation, including the North Carolina Highway Patrol, Watauga County Sheriff's Department (with two drug dogs), Blowing Rock Police Department, Beech Mountain Police Department, and the state's BAT (Blood Alcohol Testing) Mobile, a specially outfitted motor home that houses an Intoxilyzer 500 and materials for processing arrestees. A local magistrate was on hand each night to conduct initial appearances and operated out of the BAT Mobile. Blowing Rock Fire and Rescue supplied a crash truck with floodlights. State and local officers were stationed at connecting and adjoining state roads, while rangers were positioned on the parkway and at connecting intersections. Four drug cases and twelve other violations were also detected as a result of this operation. Good planning and interagency involvement were instrumental in making this operation successful. [Brent Pennington, Highlands District Ranger]
Blowing Rock PD officers came upon an unattended white mini-van completely obstructing the northbound lane of the parkway near milepost 291 at 4 a.m. on Tuesday, May 2nd. They checked the van and found it unlocked, but with no keys in the ignition. The officers contacted a local ranger and received permission to tow the vehicle. It was later determined that the vehicle had run out of gas. The 39-year-old registered owner of the van was entered into NCIC as a missing person later that afternoon. Rangers and officers learned that he was bipolar and that he hadn't been taking his medication for several days prior to his disappearance. A hasty search was conducted by a team of rangers with tracking skills, but no clues as to his whereabouts were found. It appeared that he'd left the area, so search operations were discontinued. On May 5th, the man's father and girlfriend contacted the park and the Watauga County Sheriff's Office and asked that a more extensive ground search be conducted in the area where the vehicle was found. That search was begun on Saturday and was jointly managed by the county and NPS under a unified command. Seven SAR dog teams affiliated with NCSARDA, including two with the ability to detect cadavers, were utilized in the field, with volunteer searchers on standby at the command post to investigate leads. Either a ranger or county deputy was assigned to each dog team because the missing man had a prior history of violence toward law enforcement officers. Another ranger was assigned to PIO duties and handled media contacts, including distribution of a family-generated flyer with a picture of and basic information about the man. NCSARDA teams searched the area from 8:30 a.m. until 7 p.m., but without finding any conclusive evidence that the man was in the area. The ground search was accordingly discontinued. The media campaign was more successful, though, with several sightings of the man reported and investigated, including a confirmed sighting near Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The missing man was found on May 8th in Lenoir, North Carolina. He was alive and uninjured. [Brent Pennington, Highlands District Ranger]
A 74-year-old man from Eatonton, Georgia, lost control of his Kawasaki motorcycle and went off the road near milepost 402 on Monday, May 8th. He was headed northbound on the parkway with a group of friends at the time of the accident. The man sustained massive head trauma in the accident and was flown by Mission Air Medical Ambulance to Mission Hospital, where he underwent surgery to relieve cranial pressure. He never regained consciousness, though, and succumbed to his injuries on May 16th. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On the morning of Sunday, July 2nd, a 16-year-old boy fell about six feet off a log across Cascade Falls, then slid about 40 feet down the cascading falls until he hit a tree. The tree stopped him from sliding any further down the falls, but broke the fibula and tibia in his right leg. Rangers and three local rescue and volunteer fire departments responded. Rescuers were able to safely raise him up to an overlook, then carry him to an ambulance and eventually transfer him to a helicopter that flew him to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. The victim's mother told rangers that the boy had gone under a fence at the overlook, then scrambled down about 50 feet to the log. Both his parents warned him to turn around and come back. He fell as he was turning around. [David Bauer, Supervisory Park Ranger]
A 43-year-old woman from Asheville, North Carolina, jumped from the French Broad River Bridge on July 2nd and fell 80 feet into the river. Visitors below the bridge saw her sitting on the railing with her legs dangling over the side just before she jumped. The woman survived the fall, but sustained numerous injuries, as the water was only two feet deep at the point where she landed. Canoeists took her to the riverside, where she was picked up and taken to a hospital. Relatives told rangers that the woman was depressed and had made several prior suicide attempts. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
A church bus from Hickory, North Carolina, went off the parkway near milepost 297 on the afternoon of July 22nd and rolled about 35 feet down an embankment, ending up on its side. The ten people in the van sustained various injuries. Rangers, deputies and fire and rescue units from throughout the immediate area responded. One of the occupants was in critical condition and two more were seriously injured; the remainder sustained only minor injuries. Some were taken to Watauga Medical Center, others to Blowing Rock Hospital. The driver of the van had reportedly reached down to get a cookie and momentarily taken his eyes off the road. Ranger Hope Powers is the investigator for the park. [David Bauer, Supervisory Park Ranger, Highlands District]
A man arrived at the Rocky Knob Visitor Center around 4 p.m. on July 21st, seeking treatment for a severe injury caused in a chainsaw accident. The man had suffered a laceration that resulted in one of his hands being severed at the wrist. NPS personnel and a Floyd County deputy provided medical care until EMS arrived. This initial care saved his life, and his hand was successfully reattached. The man could not provide any information on the cause or location of the accident, so rangers, a county deputy and a state police officer and search dog backtracked from the point where the man's vehicle had been parked to the scene of the accident. It appears that the patient severed his hand, recovered it, walked some distance in steep terrain to his vehicle, then drove to the visitor center. The investigation has been transferred to the Floyd County Sheriff's Office. Greg Johnston is the case ranger. [John Garrison, Chief Ranger]
A field training ranger, his trainee ranger, and a lead field training ranger (during a mid-phase evaluation) stopped an illegal commercial vehicle near mile post 10 on the Blue Ridge Parkway on July 27th. The driver was found to have a suspended operators permit. During a consent search of the vehicle, the rangers found what appeared to be a small amount of illegal drugs. The passenger then fled on foot, throwing an object from inside the front of his pants into the woods. He was quickly caught by the pursuing rangers. The item he had thrown was found to be a container of more controlled substances. He was arrested and it was later found that he had six previous felony convictions for drug distribution and was currently on parole from state prison. He was convicted of possession of controlled substances in federal court and sentenced to four months in jail. He will then be turned over to the state to answer for the violation of his parole. [Bruce Bytnar, Ridge District Ranger]
During the early morning hours of July 30th, rangers received a report from Buncombe County advising that there'd been an accident with property damage only near milepost 460. As the responding ranger approached the scene, he saw a man walking along the roadside, contacted him, and found that he had a loaded firearm. He was taken into custody and found to be an undocumented alien. The weapon was found to have been stolen. At the accident scene, the ranger found a bullet hole in the vehicle's roof and a woman hiding in the woods nearby. The woman said that she and the arrested man had had a fight about the vehicle and that he produced the weapon and threatened her. She pushed him away and ran for the woods; he fired at her three times. The woman said that she'd remained hidden until the ranger arrived. The man remains in jail. The U.S. Attorney's Office is considering charges and immigration officials have been notified. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
The park's Criminal Interdiction Team (CIT) assisted Plateau District rangers with a traffic safety operation during the period from July 27th to July 30th. The CIT, a group comprised of one ranger from each of the park's four districts plus a supervisor, provides assistance to districts as needed as a force multiplier. The team conducted 153 car stops over the period and issued 129 traffic and vehicle safety warnings. They also made 18 controlled substance cases (one of which developed into a drug distribution case and an arrest) and four DUI arrests and issued five open container violations and two driver's license violations. All of the car stops during this operation were for moving traffic offenses or safety violations - no checkpoints were used. The team was deployed to augment district staff during a weekend of high traffic flow due to the Floyd Fest, a three-day outdoor music festival just off park lands. About 10,000 people attended. [Jon Murphy, Plateau District Ranger; John Garrison, Chief Ranger]
A marijuana patch was found near the French Broad River on July 5th. Surveillance of the area was begun, with cameras installed to photograph the grower or growers. Rangers found a well-traveled trail from the patch to a nearby residence. On August 2nd, rangers took position around the patch and subsequently arrested an Asheville man as he tended the plants. The man confessed to planting the marijuana and was cooperative during the execution of a search warrant at his residence and in the interview that followed. Ranger seized 47 plants, ranging from four-inch seedlings to four-foot plants. They also confiscated packaging materials, scales, grow lights, potting materials and informational guides. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
A Roanoke County officer was flagged down on the afternoon of August 1st by a citizen who had seen a man jump from the parkway bridge over the Roanoke River. At the same time, a fisherman in the river who'd seen the man enter the shallow water swam to him and rendered assistance. The county officer and fire and rescue units from Roanoke and Vinton conducted rescue operations. The man later died from injuries sustained in the 160-foot fall. District ranger Jon Murphy and county police conducted the follow-up investigation. [John Garrison, Chief Ranger]
Two sobriety checkpoints were conducted along the Asheville corridor of the parkway on Thursday, August 8th. Within a period of six hours, four people were arrested for driving under the influence and controlled substance violations. There were another six controlled substance offenses involving prescription drugs and cocaine and one case which dealt with intent to deliver marijuana. There was also a pursuit that culminated in an arrest. A driver approaching the checkpoint stopped, backed up, then turned around and took off at an extremely high rate of speed. State police and rangers pursued until the driver lost control of his vehicle, ran into another vehicle, then went off the parkway and down the side of an embankment. The driver suffered a broken clavicle and some cuts. The driver of the vehicle that was struck escaped with only minor injuries. DUI and fleeing to elude charges were filed against the first driver. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
A 12-mile section of the Blue Ridge Parkway was closed on Friday afternoon after a rockslide fell across a short section of the scenic road just south of Maggie Valley in North Carolina. A vehicle traveling the parkway was struck by the falling rock. The driver and passenger were taken to Haywood Regional Medical Center in Waynesville, where they were treated and released. The slide site is immediately adjacent to the Cranberry Ridge overlook at milepost 452. Rangers closed the parkway at the nearest major access points - at Balsam Gap, where U.S. 23 and 74 intersect the parkway south of Waynesville (milepost 443), and at Soco Gap, where U.S. 19 intersects the parkway near Maggie Valley (milepost 455). The Federal Highway Administration, which will assist with emergency repairs, sent engineers and technicians to the park yesterday. The duration of the closure will depend largely on how much additional slope material is loose and will need to be removed. Some slides can be removed in a matter of days, others take significantly longer. [John Garrison, Chief Ranger]
Visitors reported finding a body at the Roanoke Valley overlook around 7 p.m. on August 19th. Rangers and county police responded and found the body of a 37-year-old man from Roanoke. He was found lying 50 yards from his vehicle with a gunshot wound to his head. Investigation revealed that a protection order had been issued against him the previous day, but that he'd evidently purchased the pistol before the order could be served. [Steve Stinnett, Assistant Chief Ranger]
On September 4th, a 52-year-old woman from Hendersonville, North Carolina, succumbed to injuries she received in an accident that occurred in the park on August 22nd. The woman was riding behind her husband on a motorcycle that was headed south on the parkway. Both fell of the bike when he lost control of it as they were entering the Fork Mountain Tunnel. He suffered cuts and abrasions, but his wife sustained head and other injuries and had to be flown to Mission Hospital. The operator later told investigating rangers that he lost control of the bike when its rear tire came in contact with the double center line on the slick, wet pavement. On September 16th, a 43-year-old man from Greenville, South Carolina, was killed when he failed to negotiate a curve at milepost 366. He was riding with several others at the time and was evidently traveling too fast for conditions. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On Sunday, October 1st, a ranger checking an unattended vehicle at the Greenstone overlook near Waynesboro found that it had been stolen in Georgia by a man who'd shot a convenience store clerk during a robbery. The body of a woman in her early 20s was found below the overlook. Investigation revealed that her vehicle was missing, and it was presumed that the man - W.A. - had killed her and taken her car. A four-state manhunt was begun, headed by the FBI. Participating from the National Park Service were a special agent and rangers from Blue Ridge, Shenandoah and Cumberland Gap. W.A. was also suspected of murdering two other people in Georgia and two more just outside Cumberland Gap. On the evening of October 2nd, police in St. Johns County, Florida, spotted the stolen vehicle. A pursuit across two counties ensued, culminating in a gun fight between police and W.A. He was killed in the exchange of fire. Investigations into the multiple murders are continuing. For a media story on this case, go to HYPERLINK "http://www.news4jax.com/news/9993294/detail.html" [Bruce Bytnar, Ridge District Ranger]
A vehicle approaching a DUI checkpoint near the Virginia-North Carolina border on November 10th made a U-turn and headed off at a high rate of speed. Two rangers pursued it for more than 15 miles until it was stopped by county officers with tire deflation devices (stop sticks). The operator continues his effort to escape and was pursued by the rangers, both of whom brought out their tasers and ordered him to stop or risk being shocked. The man, who was very large, would otherwise have very likely gotten into a fight with the rangers, resulting in injuries to all involved. A search of the man's vehicle turned up about 200 grams of crack cocaine, 30 grams of marijuana, and some equipment related to drug distribution. The investigation continues. [Steve Stinnett, Assistant Chief Ranger]
On Saturday, December 30th, a 1963 Beechcraft Musketeer carrying a family of four crashed near Lane Pinnacle on Blue Ridge Parkway. They suffered only minor cuts and abrasions in the accident and were able to walk out via the Mountains to Sea trail. The pilot of the plane, which was en route from Columbus, Ohio, to Orlando, Florida, said that he'd run into heavy fog and was trying to get under it when he hit the side of the mountain. NPS personnel and members of the Reems Creek, Barnardsville and Buncombe County fire and rescue squads found the accident site and escorted the family out. FAA and NTSB investigators are reviewing the incident with the pilot. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On Friday, January 26th, rangers discovered the body of 31-year-old Fletcher, North Carolina, man along the Mountain to Sea trail near the Dingle Creek parking area. He'd died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Rangers began a search for the man after finding his unlocked vehicle at the trailhead with a note on the passenger seat. Investigation revealed that he was having personal problems and was being treated for depression. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On February 4th, ranger Greg Johnston saw a vehicle turning off the parkway with a bow and arrow on the rear seat. He stopped it and contacted the operator, S.L.C. of Galax, Virginia. During a search of S.L.C. and the vehicle, Johnston recovered a concealed pistol, brass knuckles and a large amount of bundled cash. A Carroll County Sheriff's Office canine alerted on the vehicle, leading to the discovery of about six ounces of methamphetamine, a small amount of marijuana, digital scales, cellophane bags, a box of meth pipes, night vision goggles, and an audio cassette tape containing a monologue by S.L.C. in which he described his drug activities and ability to avoid capture. The total cash seized came to $18,473. S.L.C. is being charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in the furtherance of a drug crime. [John Garrison]
Twelve-year-old Boy Scout M.A. wandered away from a primitive backcountry campground in nearby Doughton Park and was reported missing by Scout leaders around 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 17th. Rangers responded immediately and requested assistance from SAR teams from Wilkes County and Alleghany County. A North Carolina Highway Patrol helicopter with FLIR (forward-looking infrared) capabilities flew to the scene and checked high probability areas in coordination with ground crews. The latter searched all 30 miles of trails within Doughton Park and areas around the primitive campground. Three dog teams were also deployed, using scent articles from the boy's backpack, which had been left at camp. The only significant clue located during this period was the lid to Michael's mess kit, found near the Brooks Branch drainage approximately one half mile northwest of the campsite. Around midnight, the NPS incident commander conferred with the command staff from other initially responding agencies. Plans were made to expand the overhead team and additional resources were called in. A unified command structure was established, with the NPS incident commanders taking the lead. Media interest was high by Sunday and continued to grow. Around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, following nearly four days of continuous searching, M.A. was found by a dog team from South Carolina. He was weak, dehydrated and hungry, but was able to walk to the searchers on his own. M.A. was found in the Basin Creek drainage, about a mile-and-a-half from the campground. Due to his weakened condition, he was carried out and transported by ambulance to the Highlands district office, where he was reunited with his parents. He was taken to Wilkes Regional Medial Center in Wilkesboro, then transferred to the Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro. He was treated for possible cold-related injuries, but remains in good condition. In all, more than 82 agencies and over 532 people participated in the search. Media coverage was extensive. [Brent Pennington, Highlands District Ranger]
On February 4th, ranger Greg Johnston saw a vehicle turning off the parkway with a bow and arrow on the rear seat. He stopped it and contacted the operator, S.L.C. of Galax, Virginia. During a search of S.L.C. and the vehicle, Johnston recovered a concealed pistol, brass knuckles and a large amount of bundled cash. A Carroll County Sheriff's Office canine alerted on the vehicle, leading to the discovery of about six ounces of methamphetamine, a small amount of marijuana, digital scales, cellophane bags, a box of meth pipes, night vision goggles, and an audio cassette tape containing a monologue by S.L.C. in which he described his drug activities and ability to avoid capture. The total cash seized came to $18,473. On April 20th, S.L.C. was found guilty by a federal jury of one count of possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. Sentencing is scheduled for late July. During the trial, J.C., the defendant's cousin, testified on behalf of the defendant that the pistol recovered from the vehicle was his and that he left the gun in the car when he loaned it to Scotty S.L.C. He also testified that he had used meth for approximately four years, had used it heavily during the months of January, February and part of March, and had purchased the gun during this time period. He said that he'd consumed meth on the day of the arrest, gone target shooting, then transported the vehicle to Scotty S.L.C.'s location with the weapon in it. While the jury was deliberating, Johnston and U.S. marshals submitted a criminal complaint charging J.C. with purchase and possession of a firearm by a person addicted to a controlled substance and acquired an arrest warrant from the district court judge. He was then arrested in the lobby of the federal courthouse. [Greg Johnston, Park Ranger] HYPERLINK "http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/vaw/press_releases/carico_23apr2007.html"
Rangers were dispatched to a fatal one-car rollover accident on the parkway near the towns of Boone and Blowing Rock at 7 a.m. on Monday, April 23rd. A blue 1996 Lincoln Town Car had gone over an embankment north of the Yadkin Valley overlook and evidently rolled several times before coming to rest about 200 feet below. The accident had been discovered by park neighbors at 6:30 a.m. Killed in the crash were 59-year-old R.H. of Patrick Springs, Virginia, and 56-year-old C.F. of Stuart, Virginia. The accident is still under investigation, but preliminary evidence indicates that speed was a factor. Ranger Hope Powers is the lead investigator. [Brent Pennington, Highlands District Ranger]
On April 20th, rangers and Roanoke County PD officers conducted a DUI checkpoint on the parkway from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., checking over 1,000 vehicles. Four arrests were made - two for DUI, one for possession of cocaine, and one for being a habitual offender. Violation notices were issued for infractions of regulations pertaining to possession of drugs or open containers of alcohol, driving under suspension, operating without a license plate, operating without a valid driver's license, allowing an unlicensed person to drive, operating without a child seatbelt, operating with expired stickers or registrations, and littering. About 30 warnings were also issued for seatbelt, commercial use and driver's license violations. A vehicle involved in a DUI was impounded for 30 days. [John Murphy, Plateau District Ranger]
George Belcher, the maintenance mechanic at Peaks of Otter, passed away suddenly at his home on Friday, April 20th. George was an extremely hard worker with a much admired "first in, last to leave" work ethic. His work at the park directly impacted the multitudes of visitors that passed through Blue Ridge Parkway each year. George was known to do anything he could to help anyone who needed it, which was quite apparent at the throng of friends, relatives, and co-workers who attended his "Celebration of Life" service on his hilltop farm. George served his country as a chief petty officer in the Coast Guard for 20 years before he came to the park as a maintenance mechanic. He referred to the park as "his dream job," and it certainly showed in his work and dedication to the job. As a long-time resident in Bedford, George was a true park neighbor. He is survived by his wonderful wife, M.L.R., whom, as George lovingly expressed, "made him complete." George will be greatly missed. He was a tremendous person and "Brother in Green and Grey." [Lewis G. Prettyman]
While conducting a search for lost Boy Scouts on April 14th, a Blue Ridge ranger contacted a person who was camping on Forest Service lands adjacent to the park. Later, while watching the local news at his residence, the ranger saw a story about a man wanted in numerous jurisdictions for grand larceny. The photos of the man and the description of his vehicle matched those of the man he'd contacted. Two park rangers returned to the campsite with a local deputy and a USFS law enforcement officer and placed R.M. under arrest. R.M. had outstanding warrants against him - three of them felony warrants - from six jurisdictions. [Bruce Bytnar, Ridge District Ranger]
On April 30th, F.S. was sentenced in federal court to 21 years and 10 months in federal prison, followed by 10 years probation, for distribution of 50 grams or more of crack cocaine. F.S. pled guilty in a negotiated plea agreement in order to avoid a potential life sentence under federal sentencing guidelines due to his criminal history. During a DUI checkpoint conducted with the Grayson County sheriff's office last November, F.S. made a U-turn to avoid being checked and fled down the parkway. Rangers Greg Johnston and Ryan Parr pursued F.S.'s Jeep Cherokee for about 15 miles before Carroll County deputies deflated three of the Cherokee's tires by placing 'stop sticks' on the roadway. The chase nonetheless continued for another two miles, as F.S. continued to drive on the vehicle's rims. He then stopped, bailed out, and fled on foot. Rangers and deputies chased him for about a half mile through a pasture before bringing him down with a taser and placing him under arrest. F.S. was found to have 50 grams of crack cocaine, 125 grams of cocaine, digital scales, baggies and crack cooking material in his possession. AUSA Zachary Lee was the prosecuting attorney and Greg Johnston was the NPS case agent. [Jon Murphy]
In the early hours of June 5th, the park received a report of an arson fire in a employee dorm room at the Pisgah Inn (a park concession). A man had broken in a window, splashed gasoline inside a room, thrown in the gas container, then ignited the fuel. Four people were in the room at the time of the attack. Concession employees took rapid action with fire extinguishers and limited the damage to the contents of the room. Fortunately, no one was injured. The investigation led to a suspect, a former boyfriend of one of the people in the room, who was later located in another county. He has been taken into custody for arson, with other charges likely. The investigation was conducted cooperatively by law enforcement rangers, an NPS special agent, a state arson investigator, and the US Attorney's Office. [Steve Stinnett, Assistant Chief Ranger]
W.S., 71, of Chesterfield, Virginia, was heading south on the parkway around milepost 16 late on the morning of June 16th when his motorcycle skidded briefly, went off the road, and slid along the roadside for about 100 feet. W.S. was injured in the accident and taken to a local hospital. He was then transferred to the University of Virginia Medical Center, where he died of multiple organ failure three days later. Speed is not believed to have been a factor in the accident. W.S.'s medical condition prior to the crash may have contributed to the loss of control and subsequent medical crisis. [Steve Stinnett, Assistant Chief Ranger]
On February 4th, ranger Greg Johnston saw a vehicle turning off the parkway with a bow and arrow on the rear seat. He stopped it and contacted the operator, S.L.C. of Galax, Virginia. During a search of S.L.C. and the vehicle, Johnston recovered a concealed pistol, brass knuckles and a large amount of bundled cash. A Carroll County Sheriff's Office canine alerted on the vehicle, leading to the discovery of about six ounces of methamphetamine, a small amount of marijuana, digital scales, cellophane bags, a box of meth pipes, night vision goggles, and an audio cassette tape containing a monologue by S.L.C. in which he described his drug activities and ability to avoid capture. The total cash seized came to $18,641. S.L.C. was arrested and tried in court in April, at which time he was convicted on one charge of possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing methamphetamine and one charge of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. On July 23rd, S.L.C. was sentenced to 13 1/2 years in prison. The investigation of the case was conducted by Blue Ridge Parkway, Carroll County Sheriff's Office, and the Bristol Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration. For a copy of the original incident report, click on the link below. [Jon Murphy] HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewincidentsarticle&type=Incidents&id=3181"
On August 17th, former Blue Ridge Parkway maintenance supervisor K.A. was sentenced to five years in prison for threatening to murder an NPS special agent and for possession of a machine gun. In 2005, NPS special agents led an investigation that resulted in the conviction of K.A. for possession of child pornography, possession of an unregistered machine gun, and theft of government property. K.A. was sentenced to just under six years in prison. While in prison, he threatened to murder the NPS special agent who headed up the investigation and solicited outside help on several occasions to assist with his plan. During the solicitations, K.A. disclosed the locations of a number of weapons he had hidden during the initial investigation. Special agents with the NPS and ATF were able to recover these weapons. Twelve guns were found, two of them machine guns. K.A.'s five year prison sentence is to be served consecutive to his previous sentence, bringing the total time of incarceration to almost 11 years. [Investigative Services Branch]
On Saturday, September 1st, W.S., Jr., 47, of Micanopy, Florida, was killed in a motorcycle wreck near milepost 432. W.S. was traveling southbound when the accident occurred. His speed at the time of the crash was determined to have been close to 75 mph. Further investigation from the motorcycle GPS also revealed significant speed points between 75 and 102 mph while on the parkway, with a speed point of 75 mph at the time of the wreck. W.S. was participating in a BMW motorcycle rally prior to the crash. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
Ranger Bruce Gagnon saw a motorcycle speeding down the parkway in the Laurel Springs area on the afternoon of September 9th and attempted to stop it. The operator, J.P., 36, declined to comply and sped away. Gagnon lost visual contact and reduced his speed, but again came upon the bike several miles down the road, at which point J.P. reversed direction. The pursuit continued to the Highway 21 junction, where J.P. attempted to exit the parkway but instead ran over a traffic island and stopped on the road shoulder. Gagnon pulled ahead of the motorcycle and a state trooper pulled in behind the bike. Gagnon then ordered J.P. to get off his bike, but J.P. again attempted to flee. Gagnon used his taser, hitting J.P.'s right shoulder and halting his escape. He was taken to a medical facility, where the darts were removed, then charged with speeding and fleeing to elude, with other charges pending. The pursuit covered about 25 miles, during which the motorcycle's speed was estimated at over 100 mph for short stretches. J.P. also passed about 20 vehicles over double yellow lines, sometimes on blind corners. It appears that he may have been carrying drugs, but was able to dispose of them during his maneuvers. [Steve Stinnett, Assistant Chief Ranger]
When the eight Boy Scouts and three leaders of a Boy Scout troop from Raleigh failed to return as scheduled from a hiking trip in the Pisgah NF on Sunday, a major search was begun that included five rangers from the park. The search, managed by Haywood County Emergency Services, was entirely outside of the park. They were found in good condition on Monday morning. According to CNN, the troop was on a weekend camping trip in the Black Balsam Gap area near the parkway in southern Haywood County. They veered off a hiking trail and got lost, so decided to camp out for an extra night rather than try to find their way out in the dark. Search teams combed the area on Sunday night, but found no sign of the scouts. A searcher located them Monday morning. Said a Boy Scout official: "As the Scout motto says, they were prepared, and they did just as they were supposed to." [John Garrison, Chief Ranger, plus CNN report] HYPERLINK "http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/09/24/scouts.missing/index.html"
A second man has been sentenced to time in jail following a drug and weapons arrest that was made in the park late last winter. On February 4th, ranger Greg Johnston saw a vehicle turning off the parkway with a bow and arrow on the rear seat. He stopped it and contacted the operator, S.L.C. of Galax, Virginia. During a search of S.L.C. and the vehicle, Johnston recovered a concealed pistol, brass knuckles and a large amount of bundled cash. A Carroll County Sheriff's Office canine alerted on the vehicle, leading to the discovery of about six ounces of methamphetamine, a small amount of marijuana, digital scales, cellophane bags, a box of meth pipes, night vision goggles, and an audio cassette tape containing a monologue by S.L.C. in which he described his drug activities and ability to avoid capture. The total cash seized came to $18,641. S.L.C. was arrested, tried in court in April, convicted of possession of a firearm and possession of drugs with intent to distribute, and sentenced in July to 13 1/2 years in prison. During the trial, Joseph Carrico, the defendant's cousin, testified on his behalf. He said that Scotty S.L.C. was driving a car that he'd loaned him that day and that he had accidentally left the pistol in the vehicle. He also testified that he had used methedrine for approximately four years, had used it heavily during the months of January, February and part of March, and had purchased the gun during this time period. He said that he'd consumed methedrine on the day of the arrest, gone target shooting, then transported the vehicle to Scotty S.L.C.'s location with the weapon in it. While the jury was deliberating, ranger Greg Johnston and U.S. marshals submitted a criminal complaint charging Joseph Carrico with purchase and possession of a firearm by a person addicted to a controlled substance and acquired an arrest warrant from the district court judge. Joseph Carrico was then arrested in the lobby of the federal courthouse. He subsequently pled guilty in federal court. As part of a plea agreement, he was sentenced to five months in federal prison, with three years' supervised release. Ranger Greg Johnston was case agent and assistant United States attorney Zachary Lee prosecuted the cases. [Greg Johnston, Park Ranger]
On the morning of Saturday, November 24th, rangers were dispatched to a fatal motor vehicle accident at milepost 268 on the parkway. Local fire and rescue units were on scene when they arrived and confirmed that the driver — D.B., 45, of Purlear, North Carolina — had been killed in the accident. Evidence indicated that the vehicle had drifted off the road and gone over an embankment, then traveled almost 300 feet before striking a 14-inch diameter tree with enough energy to break the trunk more than 11 feet up from its base. Christmas presents and decorations and windshield glass were scattered for a distance of over 60 feet in front of the spot where the pickup came to rest. The entire cab was completely crushed. Based on interviews with D.B.'s wife and evidence at the scene, investigators determined that the accident had actually occurred sometime during the previous night. It was discovered on Saturday morning by two nearby residents who were out taking a morning walk. Speed and alcohol appear to have been contributing factors. Ranger Eddy Cartaya is the lead investigator, assisted by field trainee Michael Garner and assistant chief ranger Steve Stinnett. [Submitted by Brent Pennington, Highlands District Ranger]
On Saturday, February 16th, rangers arrested several people engaged in poaching galax along the parkway. The section of the parkway between its junction with NC State Highway 80 and Mt. Mitchell State Park has historically been an area heavily impacted by commercial galax poachers. Special operations to detect, track and apprehend those involved in this activity have been on-going, conducted cooperatively with the Forest Service since the poaching has been occurring on both agencies' lands. A total of ten people were arrested, with several more seen but eluding contact. Over 50,000 galax plants were seized. The ten appeared before a federal magistrate in Asheville between February 19th and 26th. Two were juveniles and were cited and released. Five of the remaining eight pled guilty; each was sentenced to 30 days in jail, required to pay a stiff fine, and banned from federal lands for two years. Two more requested a continuance and will be heard in April, and one was sentenced to six months in jail for conspiracy. Galax, once gathered, is sold to nearby galax warehouses, where leaves are in turn sold to local florists for flower arrangements and also exported for the same purpose (galax brings anywhere from a penny to five cents a leaf). Park and USFS lands have been severely impacted by these poachers, to the point where significant, healthy galax populations are diminishing or have completely disappeared. The majority of those cited or arrested are undocumented Hispanic immigrants who gather the plant as a means to gain immediate employment and income. Although permits to collect galax may be issued through the Forest Service during particular months, investigation has revealed that most of those contacted with a permit are in violation by either being on NPS lands or not in compliance with the conditions of the permit. Galax poachers are beginning to move north along the parkway due to the diminishing take in the highly impacted area, high officer presence and the severe penalties levied. The support of federal magistrates and U.S. attorneys in the Western District of North Carolina has made a definite impact. Investigations are continuing, as galax poaching is highly organized and continuing to increase. Rangers and officers from the USFS, Yancey and Buncombe County Sheriff's Offices, and Mt. Mitchell State Park officers assisted with the apprehension, investigation and transportation. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger] NOTE: The web edition has a good photo of a poacher at work. Go to HYPERLINK "http://home.nps.gov/applications/digest/headline.cfm?type=Incidents&id=3754"
A ranger was dispatched to investigate a motorcycle accident with injuries at milepost 206 on the Virginia section of the parkway on the afternoon of June 4th. When the ranger arrived, the injured man — G.H., 70, of Newmarket, Ontario, Canada — had been taken to a nearby landing zone for an air evacuation to a trauma center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. G.H. coded while en route to the landing zone, though, so the ambulance diverted to the emergency room at Twin Counties Hospital in Galax, Virginia. He was pronounced dead by the ER physician following unsuccessful resuscitation efforts. The cause of death was trauma to the chest and abdomen. Physical evidence and witness statements indicate that G.H. was traveling southbound on the parkway with three companions when his Honda Goldwing motorcycle drifted off onto the road shoulder, struck an embankment, rolled three times, then hit a reinforced concrete milepost marker with enough force to break it off at the base. Ranger Brent Pennington is leading the investigation. [Submitted by Brent Pennington, Highlands District Ranger]
A ranger was dispatched to investigate a motorcycle accident with injuries at milepost 206 on the Virginia section of the parkway on the afternoon of June 4th. When the ranger arrived, the injured man - G.H., 70, of Newmarket, Ontario, Canada - had been taken to a nearby landing zone for an air evacuation to a trauma center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. G.H. coded while en route to the landing zone, though, so the ambulance diverted to the emergency room at Twin Counties Hospital in Galax, Virginia. He was pronounced dead by the ER physician following unsuccessful resuscitation efforts. The cause of death was trauma to the chest and abdomen. Physical evidence and witness statements indicate that G.H. was traveling southbound on the parkway with three companions when his Honda Goldwing motorcycle drifted off onto the road shoulder, struck an embankment, rolled three times, then hit a reinforced concrete milepost marker with enough force to break it off at the base. Ranger Brent Pennington is leading the investigation. [Brent Pennington, Highlands District Ranger]
On the morning of Sunday, June 15th, rangers were dispatched to a motorcycle accident with CPR in progress. R.S. of Dorothy, New Jersey, had been heading south on the parkway on his 2002 Harley Davidson motorcycle when it drifted off onto the road shoulder, struck a protruding rock formation, then collided head-on with a rock retaining wall. R.S. was ejected and landed in the middle of the southbound travel lane. His friend and riding companion, Jacob Francetti, saw the accident and pulled R.S. out of the roadway. Two off-duty paramedics from Hickory, North Carolina, had just stopped their motorcycles at the nearby Alligator Back overlook and witnessed the accident. They found R.S. unresponsive, with no pulse or respirations, so began CPR. They were assisted by a retired Michigan State Police officer who passed through on his motorcycle just after the accident occurred. R.S. was pronounced dead shortly after Alleghany County EMS personnel arrived on scene. The Alleghany County medical examiner later advised that R.S. had died of massive head injuries. There have been two other serious injury motorcycle accidents at this location in less than a week. This accident remains under investigation. Bruce Gagnon is the investigating ranger. [Brent Pennington, Highlands District Ranger]
Rangers were advised of a bicycle accident near the Craggy Gardens picnic area on Sunday, July 20th. Upon arrival, they found that several local EMS agencies had already responded and were providing care to a 61-year-old bicyclist who'd fallen from his bike and suffered severe head trauma while riding down a steep and curvy section of the parkway at an estimated speed of about 30 mph. A landing zone was quickly established and the man was transported to a waiting helicopter and flown to Asheville, where he was admitted to a neurological trauma unit in critical condition. Investigation revealed that the bicyclist, who was wearing a helmet, hit the rear tire of his riding partner's bike, causing him to fall. The cyclist and his partner were in a section of the parkway that was closed for construction. The investigation continues. [Jay Shields]
At approximately 12:30 a.m. on the morning of July 21st, a 23-year-old woman was assaulted by an unknown man at the Shenandoah Valley overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway. According to her statements, she was listening to music in her vehicle when the man opened the driver's side door and attempted to pull her out. During the ensuing struggle, the man grabbed her throat, punched her several times in the face, and attempted to pull off her pants. The woman successfully fought off her attacker, though, and was able to flee in her car. She drove herself to Augusta Medical Center; staff there notified the Augusta County Sheriff's Office. Augusta County officers and a canine tracking team searched the area around the overlook, but were unable to find the man. Rangers from both Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah National Park responded and joined the effort, also without success. The man was described as a white male, 35 to 45 years old, about 5'6" tall, weighing 170 to 180 pounds, with brown hair covering his ears. He also had several days growth of facial hair and was wearing a ball cap. Augusta County Sheriff's Office officers, Blue Ridge Parkway rangers, Shenandoah rangers and National Park Service special agents are cooperating in this ongoing investigation. [Kurt W. Speers, Ridge District Ranger]
Kathryn Brett and Miranda Cook responded to a report of a motorcycle-pickup truck head-on collision in the Peaks of Otter area on the morning of July 19th. Upon arrival, they found that the operator of the motorcycle, a 51-year-old Arizona man, had succumbed to injuries sustained in the collision. The two occupants of the pickup were treated for minor injuries at the scene. Big Island Fire and Rescue handled on scene EMS operations and assisted with traffic control and a Virginia State Police trooper assisted with the accident investigation. The investigation revealed that the motorcyclist was travelling northbound when he crossed the center line and collided with the southbound truck. Initial findings from the Bedford County medical examiner indicate that he suffered massive chest trauma in the collision. [Kurt Speers, Ridge District Ranger]
While investigating an assault case that occurred on the parkway on July 22nd, ranger Jeremy Sears discovered a stolen vehicle at the Humpback Rocks trailhead. Investigation into the stolen vehicle yielded a description of a suspect and indications that he might be hiking on the Appalachian Trail (AT). When the description of the suspect was broadcast, it matched that of an AT hiker who Shenandoah rangers had recently contacted. An extensive search of the Appalachian Trail was undertaken by Shenandoah rangers, while others checked Skyline Drive. Rangers Chad Coles and Patrick Seeley contacted a man who matched the description on the driver and found that he had items with him that connected him to the stolen vehicle. The man, identified as J.D.C., was then interviewed by Shenandoah rangers and special agent Tim Alley. He admitted to stealing the car in Virginia Beach and was arrested on outstanding warrants and held for Virginia Beach PD. Effective investigation and close cooperation between Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah rangers made this apprehension possible. [Kurt Speers, Ridge District Ranger]
On Sunday, August 24th, ranger Joe Darling found a vehicle parked off the side of the parkway in an area that has no trails but is known for illegal harvest of ginseng. When Darling entered the woods, he discovered signs of recent digging and eventually contacted S.A. of Asheville, North Carolina. Upon investigation, S.A. was found to have 34 freshly dug ginseng roots in his possession and admitted to digging them up on park property. On Friday, August 29th, S.A. appeared before the a federal magistrate and pled guilty to digging and removing ginseng. He received 18 days in jail, was ordered to pay $1,000 in fines, and banned from the parkway and adjacent federal or US Forest Service lands for two years. S.A. further admitted to previously removing ginseng from other locations along the parkway and adjacent USFS areas and subsequently surrendered 481 additional roots, which when dried renders about two pounds of ginseng. Ginseng is presently bringing in more than $1,000 per pound, resulting in an increase in violations. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On Thursday, September 4th, K.T. of Fairview, North Carolina, appeared before a federal judge and was sentenced to seven years in prison and ordered to pay $12,000 in restitution following his guilty plea in an arson case from last year (click on the link below for the original report). On June 5, 2007, K.T. travelled to the Pisgah Inn, where he contacted his ex-girlfriend, an employee living in the inn's dormitory. The girlfriend told him to leave, which he did - but he returned after a few minutes, broke out the window to her room, poured gasoline into the room, pitched in the can and ignited the gas. The girlfriend and three others in the room at the time were able to extinguish the flames without anyone getting hurt. K.T. fled the scene and was arrested three days later when he was found at a local mental hospital. Initially, K.T. claimed he had nothing to do with the incident and was not there, but later recanted and confessed. K.T. pled guilty to arson, willful destruction of property, and breaking and entering. The investigation was conducted by parkway rangers, NPS special agent Kirby Styles and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted through the U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of North Carolina. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
During the week from September 28th to October 1st, rangers made several significant drug cases in the park: September 23rd - Based on intelligence gathered by a Forest Service special agent, a joint surveillance operation was undertaken at a marijuana patch on Forest Service lands adjacent to the park. During the surveillance, three people were seen entering the site, which contained 3,800 plants. The three began harvesting them and were allowed to finish, depart, meet a pickup vehicle on the parkway, and load 450 pounds of marijuana buds into it. They were then arrested. One was found to be armed with a handgun. The joint investigation included the Forest Service, DEA, McDowell County Sheriff's Office, Floyd County Sheriff's Office, and Commonwealth Attorney's Office. September 28th - While participating in Operating Farthing, a traffic safety enforcement program, ranger Bruce Gagnon saw a vehicle whose driver was exceeding the speed limit and recognized him from a prior contact. Although Gagnon was at first unable to catch up with him, he later found the unoccupied vehicle at the scene of an accident on a parkway exit ramp. Gagnon worked with officers from two other agencies to find and interview the occupants and determined that they were in possession of controlled substances and had otherwise violated the law. A buy/bust operation was successfully conducted on park lands and another two quarter-ounce bags of cocaine were seized. Federal and state charges are pending. The joint investigation involved the Alleghany County Sheriff's Office, Wilkes County Sheriff's Office, Galax PD, and the North Carolina Highway Patrol. October 1st - Park employees found a marijuana patch on park lands in July and a cooperative investigation was begun with the Virginia State Police. Remote surveillance was begun and pictures were taken of the growers working the 48-plant patch. The investigation is still underway and involves the Virginia State Police, Floyd County Sheriff's Office, and Commonwealth Attorney's Office. [John Garrison]
Plateau District rangers received a report that a man had jumped off the Roanoke River Bridge around 1 p.m. on October 17th and responded along with county and local fire, EMS and law enforcement personnel. They found a Ford Mustang parked on the bridge in the southbound lane. Witnesses said that the driver - later identified as a 45-year-old Roanoke man - had stopped, gotten out of the car, then jumped over the bridge railing. An off-duty Roanoke firefighter who saw the man jump made his way down to the river and found the body about a half mile downstream. County fire personnel trained in swiftwater rescue removed his body from the river. Ranger Jon Holter is the case agent. [Bobby D. Miller, Plateau District Ranger]
On Sunday, October 19th, rangers from the Highlands District and county deputies conducted a motorcycle checkpoint in the park. This was another in a series of educational and enforcement activities designed to reduce motor vehicle accidents on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The checkpoint focused on providing a positive safety message, along with printed materials and "Enjoy the View, Watch the Road" key chains. Just over 100 motorcycles came through the checkpoint, which lasted for two-and-a-half hours. Some violations were detected, including seven license and registration infractions, one weapons violation, one arrest for felony level cocaine possession, and eleven motorcycle helmet safety violations. Outreach in the community was conducted prior to the operation and the majority of riders voiced support for it. This operation built on the success of a similar USPP checkpoint conducted by District 2 Station in Washington. USPP Lt. Art Jacobsen provide valuable assistance in the planning of the operation. Ranger Bruce Gagnon oversaw the operation. [John Garrison, Chief Ranger]
On Friday, November 14th, the park conducted a sobriety checkpoint near the Folk Art Center along the parkway. One of the vehicles stopped was a Dodge sedan with two people in it. The driver, a 19-year-old woman, produced her driver's license at the ranger's request; meanwhile, a second ranger who'd approached on the passenger side saw a baggy of marijuana in the car in plain view. When the rangers asked the driver to pull over to the side, she began to have a seizure and eventually went into full cardiac arrest. The rangers quickly removed her from the car and began CPR. An ambulance was dispatched to their location and arrived shortly thereafter. A heart monitor revealed that she was still in arrest, so CPR was continued and an AED was employed. The woman was revived, then suffered a second cardiac arrest, then was revived again. She was taken to Mission Hospital in Asheville, where she was monitored throughout the weekend. The case ranger interviewed her and attending physicians on Monday and learned that she was suffering from an underlying medical problem and that marijuana had been present in her system. No other drugs or alcohol were found in the car. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On Sunday, January 4th, rangers were advised of a motorcycle that appeared to have been pushed down the bank at Alligator Back overlook near milepost 242 on the parkway. Rangers Eddy Cartaya, Bruce Gagnon and Colin Fisher responded. An investigation was conducted that revealed that the 57-year-old man who owned the bike had last been seen leaving his residence the previous day and that he'd left a note saying that he was going to South Carolina to visit a friend. The position of the motorcycle and the items left with it led the rangers to believe that the operator might be in the woods and in need of assistance. An interagency search was accordingly begun, with rangers leading both the search and the associated investigation. On Monday, January 5th, ranger Dustin Gunderson found the missing man, who had just hiked up from one of the park's trails. He was cold, wet and dehydrated, but otherwise okay. His daughter took him to a local mental health facility, where he voluntarily admitted himself. [David Bauer, District Ranger]
On the morning of February 4th, park dispatch received a report that the Rockbridge County Sheriff's Office was attempting to locate a suicidal man who'd called 911 and reported that he was at a parkway overlook and intended to kill himself. While en route, rangers were advised that deputies had found the body of the 56-year-old man near milepost 45 on the parkway. He'd evidently died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The county is leading the investigation; rangers are assisting. [Kurt W. Speers, Ridge District Ranger]
Based on intelligence obtained from a Forest Service special agent, a marijuana patch was discovered on USFS property adjacent to the park last September. A surveillance operation was conducted and two men were seen accessing and entering the patch from the parkway. The pair harvested 3,800 plants totaling more than 450 pounds. They were arrested after they loaded their vehicle and were about to leave the area. The two men - M.G. and J.S. - were found to be involved in a marijuana drug trafficking organization operating in Tennessee, Texas, Kentucky, North Carolina, Nevada, Nebraska, and California. They were arraigned on January 28th on federal conspiracy charges involving the distribution and the possession with the intent to distribute more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana. The two men were part of a ring that investigators believe distributed more than 12 tons of marijuana around the country. Last November, a federal grand jury in Greeneville, Tennessee, indicted 33 people on 22 separate drug and weapons charges, marking the culmination of a major interagency investigation code-named "Operation Talisman" that involved dozens of federal, state and local law enforcement organizations, [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
The body of a North Carolina woman was found just inside the wood line near mile post 393 on Thursday, February 26th. She'd shot herself. The woman's husband had placed a 911 call reporting that he'd received a cell phone text message from his wife saying that she was going to commit suicide at a turnout near the Bent Creek area. He told investigators that she'd been suffering from extreme depression due to health issues. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
The Carroll County Sheriff's Office contacted park dispatch on Wednesday afternoon and told rangers to be on the lookout for a suicidal man. He'd contacted his family members, told him he was on the parkway, and said he was going to kill himself. County deputies found the body of M.S., 39, over an embankment at the Piedmont overlook. Evidence at the scene indicated that he'd died from a self-inflicted gunshot. The park is leading the investigation, with assistance from county authorities. [Bobby D. Miller, Plateau District Ranger]
On Monday, May 25th, two people test driving a vehicle on the parkway discovered a car in the Walnut Cove overlook with the front driver's side window shattered. They checked the car, thinking that the window had been broken out in a car larceny, and found the body of a woman with a single gunshot wound to her head and a loaded .45 caliber handgun in her lap. Rangers responded and investigated the incident with the assistance of Buncombe County Sheriffs Office deputies. The 25-year-old woman, who was from Chandler, North Carolina, had been despondent about a hit and run accident she was involved in the previous night. Investigators concluded that the death was a suicide. [Jay Shields, Park Ranger]
On the morning of Thursday, July 2nd, runners along the Mountains to Sea trail in the parkway's Asheville corridor found a man lying in the middle of the trail with a gun in his hand and a wound to his head. The runners reported their discovery, and responding rangers, EMS and local officers subsequently found the body of J.C., 26, of Asheville. North Carolina, with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head. Although no note was left, investigation revealed that J.C. had violated probation and was due to appear in court on the morning he shot himself. The investigation is continuing. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
The McDowell County Sheriff's Office contacted the park around 9:30 p.m. on July 10th and advised rangers that a possibly suicidal man might be in the Craggy Gardens picnic area or the Crabtree Meadows area and that he was thought to be driving a rented maroon minivan. These two locations and the stretch of parkway between them span 66 miles. Rangers checked the entire area but found neither the man nor the vehicle. On the following morning, rangers were notified that the man's cell phone had 'pinged' a county cell tower earlier that same morning. The areas were again checked, but without success - until a corrected vehicle description was passed on by park dispatch. At 9 a.m. a rented, full-sized white van was found in the Crabtree Meadows campground. The body of Gary Hanna, a 50-year-old North Carolina man, was found inside. Hannah was reportedly despondent over recent financial difficulties, mental and physical ailments that he and his father were suffering, and the loss of his job at the end of this year. Investigators concluded that Hannah locked himself inside the rented van and ignited a charcoal grill sometime in the late evening, then apparently succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning. At the time of discovery, the charcoal was still glowing and holding a significant amount of heat. This was the fourth suicide in the Pisgah District and the sixth overall in the park this year. [Jay Shields, Gillespie Gap Supervisory Ranger]
E.D., 50, of Wesson, Mississippi, was traveling northbound on the parkway on the afternoon of July 11th when his 1986 Honda motorcycle left the road and struck a tree. The accident was fatal. Rangers, Leake County deputies and Thomastown Volunteer Fire Department personnel all responded. The cause of the accident remains under investigation. [Allen Etheridge, Chief Ranger]
On Friday, August 7th, ranger Joe Darling and training ranger Ryan Lindsay came upon a silver Nissan pickup parked at milepost 378. Fresh footprints led from the truck into the woods in an area known to contain ginseng, so the rangers checked to see if they could find the operator. Their efforts were unsuccessful. The two rangers came upon the same pickup at the same location on Saturday, but were again unable to find the operator. On Sunday, the rangers saw the truck yet again, but this time in another location about ten miles away. Fresh footprints led into the woods - and to one D.H. When contacted, D.H. was found to have dirty hands and soiled knees, typically found on those engaged in digging ginseng. He denied that he was engaged in poaching the plant, but further investigation and a search of his truck and the surrounding area led to the discovery of a black camera case containing 138 freshly-dug ginseng roots just inside the tree line. D.H. was arrested and subsequently admitted to digging in the park over the course of several days. On August 25th, he was sentenced to 30 days in prison, ordered to pay $100 in restitution for the replanting cost of the 138 roots, and banned from federal lands for a year. [Tim Francis]
On the evening of August 29th, J.A.C., 56, of Muskegon, Michigan, was taken off life support following hospitalization for injuries she sustained in a motorcycle accident that occurred on the parkway on August 19th. J.A.C. was riding on the back of a motorcycle being operated by her husband P.C. He was leading a group of ten motorcycles when a deer reportedly jumped out in front of his bike. While braking to avoid the deer, the rear wheel of their motorcycle was struck by the front wheel of a motorcycle that was behind them. Both bikes fell to the ground. Jo Ann J.A.C. and Eric Vandam, operator of the rear bike, were airlifted to Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem. Vandam is being treated for a broken shoulder blade and collapsed lung. P.C. was treated at the scene and released. Ranger Dustin Gunderson is the lead investigator. No charges are pending. [Dave Bauer, Highlands District Ranger]
On the evening of Saturday, September 5th, rangers were notified of a serious accident with severe injuries near the Little Switzerland area at Milepost 333.7 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Gillespie Gap rangers found that a four-year-old girl had suffered severe facial and head trauma in the accident. She was transported to a landing zone and transferred to an air ambulance for a flight to Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina. Investigation revealed that the accident involved a single passenger car with a local family of three traveling along the parkway. The driver had gone off the road and the vehicle hit several large trees before coming to rest a short distance further on. Investigation revealed that that girl had not been properly restrained. She died of her injuries two days later. There were about 17 vehicle accidents on the parkway over the holiday weekend, but this was the only fatality. [Steve Stinnett, Chief Ranger]
On Friday, June 17th, rangers received a report that a man had been seen taking a backpack out of the trunk of his car, at which time the reporting party noted that the trunk was full of live plants. Ranger Miranda Cook waited for him to return to his car. When she contacted him, she found that his pack was full of plants and digging tools. Ranger Kathryn Brett assisted with the investigation and interview. The two rangers determined that the man had stolen several plants from six locations along the parkway and that he planned to sell seeds from those plants as part of his overseas business. On September 17th, he pled guilty in federal court and was ordered to pay a significant fine and restitution. [Kurt Speers, Ridge District Ranger]
Ranger Marc Cyr saw a vehicle being driven erratically and at a high rate of speed on the parkway on Sunday, October 11th. When he attempted to stop it, the driver increased his speed and his reckless driving behavior. During the 15-mile pursuit that ensued, the driver hit speeds of more than 90 mph and repeatedly traveled in the wrong lane, forcing vehicles off the roadway. The driver almost wrecked on several occasions and lost one of his front tires - but continued driving at high speeds on the rim. He was seen tossing syringes out of the car's window during the chase. Although the driver managed to avoid spike strips laid down by a cooperating agency, Cyr was able to use his cruiser to push the vehicle off the roadway and pin it against a curb. The operator, a 19-year-old man from Nelson County, Virginia, was taken into custody without further incident. He was found to be under the influence of both alcohol and a controlled substance. He's been charged with felony evading, with additional charges pending. [Kurt Speers, Ridge District Ranger]
A park visitor found the body of a woman about six feet off the parkway near milepost 395.3 just after 6 a.m. on Monday, October 19th. The park was notified and rangers responded along with Buncombe County deputies and investigators. The victim was eventually identified by family members as 21-year-old M.L.C. of Mountain Home, North Carolina. Evidence indicates that M.L.C. was murdered. The park and Buncombe County Sheriff's Department are investigating. [Jay Shields, Supervisory Park Ranger]
On the evening of Friday, November 13th, ranger Dustin Gunderson came upon a vehicle that appeared to be abandoned near the Lump Overlook on the parkway. Gunderson checked on the registered owner and learned that the family of the 27-year-old man believed that he might have harmed himself. A search was conducted and he was found a little after noon on Saturday about 100 yards down a steep and rugged embankment. He appeared to have overdosed on unknown types of pills and was semi-conscious and unresponsive. Ranger Colin Fisher provided immediate care until he could be flown to Baptist Hospital, where he was treated and is expected to make a full recovery. Personnel from Wilkes County Emergency Management and Wilkes County Volunteer Fire Departments assisted in the search efforts. [Bruce Gagnon, Supervisory Ranger]
On November 20th and 21st, Plateau District rangers working in cooperation with Virginia conservation officers and Carroll County deputies conducted three special operations resulting in multiple cases. On Friday, rangers and conservation officers stopped three vehicles for spotlighting along the parkway and issued a total of 26 state and federal charges for weapon, drug, alcohol and multiple hunting violations. Officers also seized three weapons. As a result of one of the cases, Virginia conservation officers were able to file nine additional charges in an on-going investigation relating to the illegal taking of wildlife. On Saturday, rangers, conservation officers and Carroll County deputies conducted a DUI checkpoint. During the checkpoint, officers contacted the operators of approximately 100 vehicles and issued 15 violations and 11 warnings for a variety of offenses, including suspended licenses, drugs, alcohol, weapons, hunting and equipment violations. Officers seized four weapons, impounded two vehicles and issued a total of eight violations related to illegal hunting. A total of 50 violations were issued over the weekend, 40 of which were related to illegal hunting activity. [Bobby D Miller, Plateau District Ranger]
Ranger Marc Cyr saw a man about to load a freshly-killed deer into his vehicle along a state road on the park's boundary on November 28th. Cyr talked with the man, who admitted that the deer had been standing on park land when he shot it. He then took Cyr to the location of the ground blind that he'd been sitting in when he shot the deer, and also provided the location where the deer had been standing and where he'd gutted the deer - all within the park. He was charged with unauthorized taking of wildlife, possession of unlawfully taken wildlife, and possession of a weapon. His rifle and the deer were confiscated. [Kurt Speers, Ridge District Ranger]
The Blizzard of 2009 dumped from 10 to 30 inches of snow along the entire length of the 469-mile-long parkway. High winds, particularly in the northern districts, have created snow drifts as much as six to eight feet deep, which require the use of front-end loaders and back-hoes in conjunction with snow plow equipment to clear administrative access to park duty stations. Numerous fallen trees are further complicating snow-removal operations. Unrestricted access to some sections of the parkway that cannot be controlled by a gated closure has further compounded the severity of this storm event because law enforcement rangers have limited ability to identify and respond to stranded motorist emergencies. Protection rangers are working with Virginia and North Carolina State Highway Patrol officers to receive information from flyovers. The HQ and visitor center in Asheville, North Carolina, are open and the Peaks of Otter Lodge in Virginia is open via State Route 43. [Monika Mayr, Deputy Superintendent]
On April 6th, an 18-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man were watching the sunset at Rock Point overlook on the parkway near Stuart's Draft, Virginia, when they were attacked by a man with a shotgun. Both survived, but the man suffered critical injuries to his head and face and his prognosis is uncertain at this time. The Augusta County Sheriff's Office led the multi-agency investigation, which included NPS rangers and special agents, FBI and ATF agents, Forest Service officers, and Virginia State Police troopers. An anonymous "Crime Stoppers" tip was subsequently received that identified R.J. of Stuart's Draft as a suspect. R.J. was taken into custody yesterday afternoon through a cooperative effort by the above agency, supported by a Park Police tactical team and their Eagle 1 helicopter and crew. R.J. has been interviewed and has given information consistent with his having done the shooting. Prosecutors form the US Attorney's Office and August County will determine what charges will be made and which jurisdiction will handle the case. The park is grateful for the assistance received law enforcement personnel from all the involved agencies, including Shenandoah NP and New River Gorge NR, and for the way they managed this case. The hard work of the investigators was critical in attaining the positive and expedient outcome. For a related news story, click on the link below. [Steve Stinnett, Chief Ranger] HYPERLINK "http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/242622"
Ranger Joe Darling came upon a white Pontiac parked near milepost 373 along the parkway last October - a vehicle he'd seen parked in other areas several times previously. Darling suspected that it was being used by ginseng poachers, so investigated and found footprints leading from the vehicle into the woods. Following them, he found recently dug holes. Since it was beginning to get dark, Darling returned to his patrol vehicle and conducted surveillance on the Pontiac. He eventually saw two men emerge from the woods. Both exhibited dirt stained hands and clothing, but denied digging ginseng. Darling identified the individuals as D.A. and M.A., both of Brevard, North Carolina, and released them due to lack of evidence. After they left the area, Darling again entered the woods and found a fanny pack containing 105 ginseng roots. He returned the next day and recovered a second fanny pack, this one containing 106 ginseng roots. It had been hidden in a small rock cave adjacent to where the first fanny pack was found. Darling contacted and interviewed both men and subsequently charged them with illegally harvesting ginseng and conspiracy to harvest ginseng, as well as several other violations associated with the discovery. On March 9th, M.A. plead guilty to conspiracy to harvest ginseng and was sentenced to 30 days in jail; on April 8th, D.A. plead guilty to conspiracy to harvest ginseng and was also sentenced to 30 days in jail. Both were also banned from park and associated USFS lands for two years. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On April 6th, an 18-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man were watching the sunset at Rock Point overlook on the parkway near Stuart's Draft, Virginia, when they were attacked by a man with a shotgun. Both survived initially, but the man suffered critical injuries to his head and face. On Friday April 9th, T.D., 27, died of his injuries. The other victim, C.F., was released from the hospital on Thursday. The suspect - R.J. of Stuart's Draft - is being held by the state without bond. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
A search that began on Thursday, April 22nd, in the parkway's Rock Castle Gorge Recreation Area concluded on April 27th with the discovery of the body of E.B., 66, of Cincinnati, Ohio. He'd evidently committed suicide with a firearm. The search began when E.B.'s car was noticed by a park employee at the trailhead near the Rocky Knob Cabins on April 18th and again on April 22nd. After a hasty search by park rangers was unsuccessful, search teams were activated through the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and a Type III incident team was formed to conduct an expanded operation, The Patrick County Sheriff's Office was responsible for the related investigation. During operations on April 23rd and 24th, searchers found numerous weapons and other items placed in the gorge, apparently by E.B., that included knives, daggers, nunchucks, fighting sticks, a holster for a pistol, parrot feathers and clothing laid out in an organized and what appeared to be ritualistic, manner. On the 23rd, civilian searchers were removed from the operation until law enforcement teams from Patrick County, the Virginia State Police and the NPS were able to check the area, which they did on the 24th. Rangers from Shenandoah, New River Gorge, and C&O Canal joined rangers from other park districts and a dog team from NCR when the search resumed on the 25th. Also participating were civilian searchers from Commonwealth of Virginia SAR, Angle SAR, SAR Tracking Institute, Carroll County SAR, Rockingham County-Augusta SAR, Black Diamond SAR, Triad SAR, Tidewater SAR, SARTI, Intermont-Bristol SAR, Vesta Rescue Squad, Ararat and Woolwine Fire Departments, and the Civil Air Patrol (aircraft were utilized to provide radio communication between teams and the command post). E.B.'s body was found in a rhododendron thicket on a private inholding within the gorge by a dog and handler from Dogs East Search and Rescue, working a task with an NPS search team. Investigators determined that E.B. had stayed in a motel in Meadows of Dan for several days after he arrived in the area on April 13th and had been seen by neighbors in the area of the gorge over several days ending on April 18th. E.B. had no known friends or relatives after the death of his wife in January of 2009, which created a challenge for search managers and investigators throughout the incident. The park wishes to thank all of the SAR organizations and team members that worked diligently in adverse weather, steep terrain and heavy vegetation to conduct the search. The park is fortunate to have a strong relationship with these organizations, built over the years by conducting interagency training and SAR exercises in this and other areas of Southern Virginia within the park. While the search was underway, a running marathon was held on park roads within the same district, which, along with the search and normal operational requirements, heavily taxed the parkway's ranger staff. [Steve Stinnett, Chief Ranger]
R.B., 36, of Granite Falls, North Carolina, was headed north on the parkway around 3:45 a.m. on April 29th when he lost control of his vehicle on a curve near Milepost 341 and went off the road. The vehicle went down an embankment and collided with a large tree. R.b was pronounced dead at the scene. Speed and possibly fatigue appear to have caused the accident. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
Rangers conducted two sobriety checkpoints last weekend in the Asheville area in conjunction with the Asheville Police Department, the Asheville Arboretum, Biltmore Forest, and the North Carolina Breath Alcohol Testing Unit (BAT Mobile). Approximately 500 vehicles drove through the two checkpoints, resulting in four DUI arrests and one public intoxication arrest, nine cases involving drugs and/or paraphernalia, and approximately 30 other traffic offenses. On Saturday night, a vehicle stop made early in the checkpoint resulted in a significant interagency investigation into several felonies that had occurred both on the parkway and in the city of Asheville. Subsequent to contacting the driver of a vehicle with three occupants, ranger Debra Flowers detected the strong odor of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed two handguns, one of which had the serial numbers filed off, a felony offense. In addition, a search of the three subjects revealed over 20 ounces of marijuana hidden in the driver's pants. The two passengers in the vehicle were found to have a history of violence and drug-related activities and gang affiliations; one of them was currently on probation in Buncome County. Asheville detectives with their Criminal Investigations Division and Gang Suppression Unit responded to the scene to assist. When they arrived, they observed that the vehicle the three subjects had been driving matched the description of one that had been used in an armed robbery in Asheville two days prior. The three subjects also matched the description of those involved in the robbery. Asheville PD took the lead on the investigation at that time, and the three were transported to the Asheville Police Department, where Flowers and APD detectives interviewed them. Each of them confessed to the armed robbery in question, in which they had driven by a man walking down the street and gotten into a verbal altercation with him, culminating in an assault on the man, a weapon being brandished, and the theft of his money. The three also confessed to involvement in the recent armed robbery of a pizza delivery person, in addition to several other robberies and home invasions that occurred in Asheville in recent weeks. Subsequent to those interviews, Asheville police obtained a search warrant for the house that all three were living in. Rangers assisted with the execution of the search warrant, in which several stolen items related to recent home invasions, drug paraphernalia, and an additional firearm were seized. As a result of this interagency investigation, Asheville PD was able to close at least three previously unsolved cases. They have taken the lead on the ongoing investigation, and all three face several felony charges. [Lena Boesser-Koschmann, Assistant Chief Ranger]
In May of this year, Blue Ridge Parkway, in cooperation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), participated in the first "Click it or Ticket" campaign conducted in the National Park Service. This high visibility enforcement seatbelt program was conducted along a 30-mile stretch of the parkway as it runs through Roanoke, Virginia. The program was kicked off with a baseline study conducted in high-use areas of the parkway, targeting local commuters in the Roanoke area. Initial observations showed a compliance rate of 84% for drivers, and 76% for front seat passengers. Signs were posted throughout the enforcement area, and press releases went out to local media. Between May 17th and May 28th, rangers from Blue Ridge Parkway and New River Gorge conducted high visibility saturation patrols on that same stretch of motor road, focusing on all traffic violations but with an emphasis on seatbelt enforcement. Traffic enforcement was focused around daylight hours, when local commuters were likely to be driving on the parkway. Drivers who were stopped by rangers were given verbal safety messages about driving safely on the parkway. During that time, rangers made three arrests, issued 102 violation notices for failure to use a seat belt, and issued 43 violation notices for other offenses. A second observation survey was conducted at the conclusion of the enforcement effort. Overall seat belt use increased from 82.5% to 91.7%. Belt use increased significantly more among passengers after the enforcement, increasing a total of 16.7%. Two additional waves of enforcement are scheduled for FY 2011 on the same stretch of the parkway. With the success of this initial enforcement effort, NHTSA hopes to be able to duplicate this program in other areas around the Service. [Lena Boesser-Koschmann, Assistant Chief Ranger]
On the evening of Monday, September 13th, M.B., 49, of Kennesaw, Georgia, was heading south on the parkway near milepost 370 when he went off the road onto the shoulder, crashed, and was thrown from his motorcycle. His travelling companions and other motorists tried to revive him but were unsuccessful. The cause of the wreck is still under investigation. A prior medical condition may have been a contributing factor. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
C.L.H., 25, of Elgin, South Carolina, was located by search crews Monday evening after an extensive three day search. She is currently recovering in a hospital in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. C.L.H. was hypothermic, but conscious and able to confirm her identity when searchers located her about a mile from where her vehicle had been parked on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Crystal had been last seen by her father at his office on the morning of Tuesday, October 26th. Her vehicle was seen parked at Bullhead Mountain Overlook near Milepost 234 on the Blue Ridge Parkway on Wednesday morning. As this overlook provides parking for an area where visitors frequently hike and camp overnight, the vehicle's registration was not immediately checked. Upon running the registration of the vehicle on Saturday morning, rangers discovered that the owner, C.L.H., was listed as missing by her family. Over the next three days, searchers and organizers from multiple cooperating agencies searched an area with a radius of about a mile and a quarter from the point where here vehicle was found. The area was divided into segments, and those segments were prioritized and searched. Seven teams searched assigned areas on November 1st, some going out on multiple missions during the day as they searched the difficult terrain. That afternoon, one of the teams volunteered to search one last segment of the area before dark - and found C.L.H. just after 6 p.m., alive but suffering from hypothermia, dehydration and exposure. The searchers began warming her, and her condition started to improve. C.L.H. was found on Stone Mountain State Park land, approximately one mile downhill from where she had parked on the parkway and in an area of steep terrain and tall trees, with the light quickly fading. A paramedic was able to hike in to her location, arriving just before 10 p.m. It was determined that she was stable enough to stay the night. Due to the difficulty and risk associated with a helicopter rescue in steep terrain, a plan was developed to bring C.L.H. out of the area by helicopter at first light. Thirteen searchers and rescuers spent the night with C.L.H., keeping her warm and monitoring her condition. A helicopter from the North Carolina National Guard hoisted her out of the ravine she was in around 8:30 a.m. along with one of the paramedics who had been treating her. She was then flown to a nearby landing zone near the Bluffs Lodge on Blue Ridge Parkway, where she was assessed by an ambulance crew before being transferred to a medical helicopter to be flown to Winston-Salem. It is certainly due to the outstanding inter-agency cooperation and pre-planning - and the hard work of searchers and volunteers on the ground - that this search and rescue effort was a success. Participants in the search included personnel from North Carolina State Parks, North Carolina Highway Patrol, Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountain National Park, Laurel Springs, Cherry Lane, Glade Creek, Alleghany County Search and Rescue, Alleghany County Sheriff's Department, Kershaw County, North Carolina Search and Rescue Dog Association, and North Carolina Project Saver Specialized Team. [Lena Boesser-Koschmann, Assistant Chief Ranger]
On Wednesday, November 17th, a northbound vehicle crossed over the parkway's center line and collided head-on into a southbound vehicle near Milepost 387. The operator of the former and the operator and passenger in the latter were all injured and taken to Mission Hospital. The driver of the southbound vehicle - C.F.S., 83, of Asheville, North Carolina - succumbed to his injuries later that evening. Charges are pending. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On the morning of November 24th, a park visitor/neighbor called Blue Ridge Parkway dispatch to inform them that he had just seen two men poach a large buck. According to the caller, he was watching the deer in a field in the park and told the two men about it. As he departed the area, the two men shot the deer. The Blowing Rock Police Department was able to respond and detain the two men until ranger Bruce Gagnon arrived. The investigation revealed that a large, eight-point buck had been shot from the roadway from a distance of about 50 yards. The investigation into this case is being handled jointly by the National Park Service and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. [Kurt Speers, Ridge District Ranger]
Park dispatch received a report of a man "not breathing" at the Rockfish Valley overlook on the afternoon of March 19th. Blue Ridge and Shenandoah rangers responded along with Nelson and Augusta County deputies. While en route, they learned that the victim had suffered a gunshot wound to the head and that it appeared to be self-inflicted. The body of the 55-year-old Virginia man was taken to the medical examiner's office in Richmond for an autopsy. Blue Ridge rangers and NPS special agents are investigating. [Kurt Speers, Ridge District Ranger]
On April 6, 2010, an 18-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man were watching the sunset at Rock Point overlook on the parkway near Stuart's Draft, Virginia, when they were attacked by a man with a shotgun. The injured man - T.P.D. - later died of his injuries, but the woman - C.S.F. - survived and was able to give an accurate description of the attacker. Based on a Crime Stoppers tip, investigators arrested Ralph Leon Jackson, 57, at his residence near the park. On March 23rd, Jackson pled guilty to one count of assaulting C.S.F. with the intent to commit murder, one count of using and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, one count of the premeditated murder of T.P.D. by shooting him with a firearm, and one count of using and discharging a firearm during and in relation to the murder of T.P.D. Jackson has agreed to a life sentence in federal incarceration on the murder count and a term of incarceration within the sentencing guidelines on the remaining counts. By making this plea, Jackson will avoid potential capital punishment. Jackson will be formally sentenced on June 9th. This murder case was successfully investigated by NPS rangers and special agents, the Augusta County Sheriff's Office, the Augusta County Commonwealth Attorney's Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The USPP aviation unit provided air cover during the arrest operations. [Jeff Pascale, Supervisory Special Agent]
On Friday, June 3rd, the body of a 57-year-old local woman was discovered by rangers below the I-26 Bridge, approximately 100 feet from the top. Rangers discovered the body after her car had been observed in the area for more than 24 hours, but adjacent to an access point of the Mountains to Sea Trail. A registration check revealed no wanted notices or any other issues, but when the vehicle was physically checked it was found unsecured with her purse, car keys and several handwritten notes indicating she had taken her life in plain view. The Buncombe County Sheriff's Office and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol assisted with the investigation, with the sheriff's office taking the lead and making family notifications. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
Between May 15th and June 3rd, rangers on the Blue Ridge Parkway participated in the third and final wave of enforcement in a "Click it or Ticket" campaign in cooperation with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The purpose of the campaign is to conduct high visibility enforcement in hopes of improving seatbelt usage, not only within the boundaries of the park but in local communities as well. A 30-mile stretch of roadway in the area of Roanoke, Virginia, was chosen due to its heavy use by local commuters. In conjunction with enforcement, NHTSA conducted area resident surveys to determine the campaign's effectiveness, as well as observations on the parkway before and after each enforcement wave. In each case, public awareness of NPS law enforcement increased, as did compliance with seatbelt laws, which increased from 82% to over 90% in each case. In the latest wave of enforcement, rangers wrote 145 citations for an array of violations - not only for failure to wear seatbelts, but also for speeding, license and registration violations, and possession of controlled substances. Ranger also made two arrests for DUI and issued warnings for almost 300 other violations. The "Click it or Ticket" campaign is only one aspect of a larger program aimed at motor vehicle collision reduction on Blue Ridge Parkway. Throughout each year, rangers up and down the 469-mile-long parkway conduct several sobriety and safety checkpoints, use motor vehicle collision statistics to support the location of high visibility signage and public information campaigns, and give a traffic safety message during each visitor contact. As a result of these and other efforts, motor vehicle collisions were down 40% in 2010 from 2001. [Lena B. Koschmann, Assistant Chief Ranger]
On June 13th, the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office contacted park dispatch with a report of a suicidal person operating a red Subaru on the parkway. Rangers and deputies attempted to locate the vehicle and eventually contacted the driver near Craggy Gardens. He'd placed a burning rag into the vehicle's gas tank and set it afire. A Buncombe County deputy on scene tried to reach him, but was unable to do so because the man had locked himself inside. He eventually got out of the vehicle, though, telling rangers and deputies that he just wanted to die. He was taken into custody after a brief struggle and brought to a mental health facility in Asheville. The parkway was closed temporarily while firefighters put out the blaze. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On the afternoon of June 18th, rangers received a report of a single vehicle rollover accident near milepost 295 in the Highlands District. When they reached the accident scene, they found that a Honda Pilot carrying ten people - eight adults and two children - had left the roadway and gone down an embankment approximately 80 feet, striking several large trees. The impact caused the SUV to turn on its side, trapping many of the occupants inside. Responders worked quickly to extricate them. The Honda's roof had to be cut, and winches were used to lift it from those trapped inside. A rope system was put in place to haul the victims up the steep embankment to the road in order to transport them to the hospital. One of them, the 74-year-old father of the operator, was pronounced dead after his arrival at Baptist Hospital. Two passengers, a ten-year-old girl and a 43-year-old adult, were treated for minor injuries and released. The other seven were taken to intensive care with significant injuries. According to witnesses, the Honda's passenger side tires left the pavement when it drifted off the road. The driver attempted to get the vehicle back onto the roadway but steered too sharply, causing it to go into a skid and leave the road. Personnel from the Blowing Rock Police Department and Blowing Rock Fire and Rescue, medics from Watauga County, and other park employees worked together with rangers to successfully handle a complex and difficult scene during heavy rain and high winds. [Lena Koschmann, Assistant Chief Ranger]
A 42-year-old woman was found by visitors lying in a parking lot at the Boone Fork Trailhead near Grandfather Mountain State Park on the evening of Thursday, June 23rd. The visitors called 911 and EMS personnel and rangers responded. The woman claimed that she had been abducted outside her house earlier that day by a man wearing a ski mask and sunglasses. She told investigators that he had pointed a gun at her and forced her into her van, directing her to drive to the parkway. She said that he had then taken her into the woods, where she had fought him, gotten away, and walked through the woods to the parking lot where she was found. She was taken to a nearby hospital, treated for minor injuries, and released later that night. Several other agencies responded to search for the alleged assailant, including Watauga and Avery Counties, the North Carolina Highway Patrol, Boone and Blowing Rock Police Departments, and North Carolina State Parks. The parkway was closed and a manhunt ensued that lasted into the early morning hours. No evidence of an assailant was found. The parkway was reopened at 4 a.m. on Friday morning. An NPS special agent, working in cooperation with Charlottesville investigators, took the lead in the investigation, and the FBI opened a case on the abduction. Rangers retraced the woman's escape route through the woods, but found little evidence. Her van, located on the parkway, was impounded and processed for evidence, but no significant leads were discovered. The investigation is ongoing. [Lena Koschmann, Assistant Chief Ranger]
On November 17, 2010, a northbound vehicle crossed over the parkway's center line and collided with a southbound vehicle, resulting in the death of driver of the latter. On June 17th, the driver of the northbound vehicle, S.C.-B., who was injured in the collision along with the decedent's wife, plead guilty to misdemeanor death by vehicle in federal court. The main contributing factor to the cause of the wreck was S.C.-B. talking on a cell phone, causing her to fail to give her full time and attention to driving. At the sentencing hearing, S.C.-B. spoke from a prepared statement expressing her regret and sorrow at not paying attention while driving. The victim's wife also spoke from a prepared statement, forgiving S.C.-B. and expressing the need to prohibit the use of cell phones and similar devices while operating a vehicle. S.C.-B. received a suspended jail sentence, 18 months of supervised probation, revocation of her driver's license, and 100 hours of community service. She was also banned from all NPS areas for 18 months. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
Ranger Miranda Cook investigated a report of a vehicle below the parkway on the afternoon of July 22nd. She found the body of a 69-year-old man inside the vehicle. Evidence at the scene indicates that his vehicle left the parkway, travelled 135 feet downhill, and struck a tree. The medical examiner has ruled the cause of death to have been blunt force trauma. The man was last seen the previous evening at his home. [Kurt W. Speers, Ridge District Ranger]
On July 2nd, rangers came upon an orange moped covered in duct tape chained to an access gate at Milepost 374. The moped was identified as one that had been described in great detail in a "Crime Stoppers" tip as a vehicle operated by two people engaging in the illegal harvest of ginseng in and around the park. Rangers saw two men - later identified as C.J.D. and R.E.P. - walking in the woods. The two men, who matched the descriptions given in the "Crime Stoppers" tip, were wearing backpacks and, based on their behavior and actions, were apparently searching for and digging ginseng. They were found to have 52 ginseng roots in their possession. On July 27th, both pled guilty in federal court to harvesting ginseng in the park. C.J.D. was sentenced to 10 days in jail and a $600 fine; R.E.P. was sentenced to 17 days in jail, but was not fined. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On the evening of July 15th, rangers stopped a pickup truck for an equipment violation. Initial observations of suspicious items within the vehicle during the stop led the rangers to believe that the occupants had illegal drugs in their possession. They consented to a vehicle search, which led to the discovery of methamphetamine and assorted drug paraphernalia, including several "meth" pipes, a loaded .22 caliber pistol, and $1,000 in cash on the passenger. Following arrest and transport to the Buncombe County jail, the passenger revealed a schedule of drug prices that he had hidden in his undergarment. Both were strip searched as there was reason to believe other drugs may have been hidden within body cavities, ultimately leading to the discovery of two more baggies of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. On July 27th, B.R., the driver of the vehicle, pled guilty to possession of methamphetamine and was sentenced to 30 days in jail. The passenger will appear in court at a later date on charges of possession and distribution of methamphetamine. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On July 28th, rangers were notified by Biltmore Forest PD of a possible drug overdose near Milepost 390. Rangers responded and met with Biltmore Forest officers, who'd come upon a woman within her vehicle who appeared to be asleep but could not be awakened. The engine was also running. The vehicle was entered and the woman was found to be unconscious but with a pulse. Several bottles of empty prescription drugs (Ambien) were found, as was an empty bottle of alcohol. A stick had also been inserted into the vehicle's exhaust pipe. EMS was notified and the woman was taken to Mission Hospital for evaluation and treatment. Investigation revealed that she had a history of mental illness and was currently under psychiatric care. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On August 16th, two teenage boys on a family outing climbed over the containment wall at Erwin's View on the Linville Falls trail. One of them slipped and went over the edge of a cliff, falling about 60 feet and ending up caught in a tree. He yelled back to his friend that he was uninjured but unable to free himself. A multi-agency rescue ensued. Due to the height and features of the cliff, the boy was short-hauled from his location by a National Guard helicopter and taken to a nearby landing zone. He was treated for minor cuts and scrapes and released. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On the morning of Monday, August 29th, Augusta County dispatch was notified by phone that a woman was slumped over the steering wheel of a vehicle at the Rockfish Valley overlook. Rangers from the both Blue Ridge Parkway and Shenandoah National Park responded along with Augusta County Sheriff's Office deputies. They found that the woman had suffered a gunshot wound to the head and determined that the wound was likely self-inflicted. Investigation at the scene indicated that the 39-year-old woman from Augusta County, Virginia, died from the gunshot wound. This was the one of three incidents involving visitor fatalities within a 72-hour period in the park's Ridge District. [Kurt Speers, Ridge District Ranger]
Park dispatch received a report of a vehicle over a steep embankment near the northern end of the parkway on the afternoon of August 28th. An Augusta County Sheriff's Department deputy negotiated steep terrain to get to the vehicle and determined that the operator, H.B.M., had died in the accident. H.B.M. had been reported missing from his residence in Fishersville, Virginia, five days earlier. Recovery operations were complicated by the fact that the vehicle came to rest approximately 130 feet below the parkway in difficult terrain. The time and cause of death and cause have not yet been determined. [Kurt Speers, Ridge District Ranger]
An operation to interdict HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galax" galax poaching was conducted near the Mt. Mitchell area of the parkway over a two-day period last week. The operation involved two teams conducting surveillance at two access points where violators were either accessing and/or being dropped off to harvest the plants. The first day was unsuccessful, but three individuals were arrested on the second day. The three were in possession of more than 30,000 galax leaves. On Thursday, September 15th, the three appeared before a U.S. magistrate and pled guilty to illegally harvesting galax and commercial operations, with two receiving 30 days in jail and the third receiving 90 days (second offense). This area has historically seen a high amount of such activity and is closely monitored by both rangers and members of the Appalachians Highlands Inventory and Monitoring Network. This particular type of galax has a very large leaf and is a target for poachers because it can bring five cents a leaf for floral arrangements. It only grows in areas along the parkway. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
Rangers conducting surveillance on August 27th near an area known for ginseng poaching saw a man dressed in camouflage in the woods. The man, identified as B.W. of Fletcher, North Carolina, admitted to digging ginseng and was found to have 21 roots in his possession. A second surveillance operation at another site known for ginseng poaching, this one on September 17th, led to a contact with G.G. of Asheville, North Carolina, who had 79 ginseng roots in his possession. Both were arrested. Last week, each man appeared before a federal magistrate and entered a guilty plea. B.W. was sentenced to 11 days in jail and G.G. received 25 days in jail. The current price for ginseng in western North Carolina ranges from $410 to $425 for dry ginseng and $110 for green ginseng. Rangers also determined that B.W. had sold 16.6 pounds of dry ginseng and 3.5 pounds of green ginseng in 2008 for an estimated return, based on the market at the time, of over $10,000. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On the afternoon of September 29th, rangers saw a suspicious vehicle and three individuals in an area known for ginseng poaching. As the rangers approached, they began throwing items into the woods and into their vehicle. Upon investigation, the rangers found that the trio had collectively dug up 350 ginseng roots. All three were arrested and taken before the federal magistrate, with a pending court date in December. One of them had been arrested two years previously by one of the same rangers for the same offense. One of the others is presently on probation and also had outstanding warrants on him. The third, although not wanted, also had a criminal history. [Tim Francis, District Ranger]
On Sunday, October 16th, J.B.C., 27, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, was killed in a motorcycle accident while traveling northbound on the parkway. J.B.C. lost control of his motorcycle and slid into the path of a southbound vehicle. The operator and passenger of the southbound vehicle were transported to Haywood Regional Medical Center in Waynesville, North Carolina, where they were treated and released. The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but it appears that inattention was a contributing factor. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
Rangers Josh McMann and Dave Bauer were called to a report of a vehicle discovered down an embankment below Flannery Fork Road on the morning of November 25th. They found the body of a 66-year-old woman inside the car, which was on its roof. It appeared to have drifted off the dirt road and down the 10-foot embankment, ending up on a carriage trail that is popular with hikers, joggers and horseback riders. It appears that the woman survived the crash, but subsequently died due to exposure or medical conditions. Responding rescuers knew her and reported that she had a lengthy medical history. Since Flannery Fork Road is a state road passing through park land, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol is leading the investigation. [Dave Bauer, Highlands District Ranger]
Three people were arrested separately in September for digging ginseng along the parkway. On December 1st, Thomas Jones pled guilty to possessing 12 roots and was sentenced to five days in jail, J.H. pled guilty to possessing 167 roots and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, and Delmar J.H. pled guilty to possessing 103 roots and was sentenced to 50 days in jail. J.H. was arrested with 138 ginseng roots in his possession in 2009 by the same ranger involved in this case. He served 30 days in jail for that offense. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On December 27th, rangers were notified of a person standing on the French Broad River Bridge, threatening to jump. Visitors traveling southbound along the bridge saw a man standing mid-span on the bridge with one leg over the railing, but he was not there when they turned around and again crossed the bridge. A ground and air search of the area was conducted, but no body was found. Since it was night and the weather was deteriorating, with cold temperatures and snow, the search was suspended until the following morning. Efforts to locate him that day were also fruitless. On December 31st, duck hunters found a man's body in the trees along the river on Biltmore Estate property. The victim matched the description of the man who'd been seen on the bridge on the 27th. He was subsequently identified as a 51-year-old man from Brevard, North Carolina. Investigation revealed that he'd hired a cab to drop him off on the parkway not far from the bridge. Rangers also learned that he was suffering from some medical issues. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On the evening of January 31st, rangers were notified that a man had been found near the Frying Pan Ridge access who appeared to be in distress and had blood on his head. A U.S. Cellular contractor performing tower maintenance at the Frying Pan Ridge site found the man lying next to his vehicle. The man motioned to him for help, and the contractor went to his assistance. While doing so, he observed a revolver and the man's wallet lying next to him. He called 911 and relayed details of the incident. Rangers and EMS personnel responded. The 39-year-old Delaware man was taken to Mission Hospital and found to have a .38 caliber bullet lodged in his brain. It's still uncertain whether surgeons will attempt to remove the bullet or let it remain. The investigation is continuing. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
While investigating a report of a suicidal person on March 24th, a ranger observed a driver operating a vehicle in a very suspicious manner in an area known for galax poaching. The ranger turned on the vehicle, and, as he approached, saw two men exit from it and flee into the adjacent woods, carrying duffle bags. The ranger conducted a traffic stop and subsequently arrested the driver, identified as O.R.R., of Spruce Pine, North Carolina, for illegally harvesting galax. Other rangers responded and a search of the adjacent woods yielded three duffle bags containing 15,000 galax leaves. During the investigation, one of the other subjects was identified and an arrest warrant was obtained. On March 27th, rangers and Mitchell County Sheriff's Office deputies executed the warrant and arrested F.R.F., also of Spruce Pine. Both O.R.R. and R.R.F. appeared before the U.S. magistrate, pled guilty to conspiracy to harvest galax, and were sentenced to 30 days in jail. Investigation is continuing to identify and prosecute the third conspirator. Currently, local market value for galax leaves, used in floral arrangements, is two to six cents per leaf. Galax leaves are being sold for more than a dollar a leaf in the international flora trade and is estimated that galax harvesting is a $40 million a year industry in western North Carolina. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On the evening of March 31st, rangers were dispatched to the Craggy Gardens picnic area in response to a 911 call concerning a probable drug overdose. Upon arrival, they found a man and woman parked in a vehicle, both exhibiting an altered mental status. They said that they'd ingested psilocybin mushrooms, with the woman adding that she was dead and had no pulse. Rangers and EMS personnel began an assessment and noted that the woman was suffering from periodic convulsive events. At one point, she jumped from the stretcher, climbed into the rear seat of a patrol car, exited again, dropped to the ground, and experienced another convulsion. She was eventually placed in an ambulance, where she was transported to a hospital for treatment and evaluation. During the transport, she continually asked if she was alive or dead and if what was happening was real. Rangers remained at the hospital until she returned to a coherent state. Both the man and woman were issued violation notices for using a controlled substance. The driver was released to the custody of his father. The 911 call actually originated from the couple, who were concerned that they were already dead. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On Saturday, April 28th, a hiker found the body of an 18-year-old Asheville man hanging from a tree while hiking in the Bull Mountain area of the park. The hiker immediately notified authorities. Rangers and Asheville PD officers responded, recovered the body, and conducted an investigation that revealed he'd been struggling with personal issues and had told his family earlier that day that they would be better off without him. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On April 13th, rangers received a report that state police had a man in custody who may have been involved in a possible accident in the area where the parkway crosses over Interstate 77. Upon arriving on scene, rangers learned that a man travelling the parkway drove his vehicle off the road and through a field, eventually striking a fence that parallels I-77. He then decided to take off all his clothes and begin walking. He eventually "commandeered" a horse belonging to a local farmer whose land borders the park and began riding the horse along an adjacent county road. When state and county officers arrived on scene, they saw that the horse was trying to buck off the naked rider. Eventually, the man was thrown from the horse, at which time officers took him into custody. He told the officers that he was under the influence of methedrine. He was taken to a local hospital for mental evaluation; charges are pending and may include horse theft, indecent exposure and public intoxication. [Bobby D Miller, Plateau District Ranger]
D.B., 63, a seasonal maintenance worker with the Blue Ridge Parkway, was killed in an accident Monday while mowing vegetation at the Haw Creek Overlook on the parkway north of Asheville, North Carolina. The accident is under investigation by Southeast Regional Office. D.B. is survived by his wife, Denise MacMillan, daughters Lorin Crowley and Alexandra Harrington, stepdaughter Stephanie Cohen, stepson Kevin Stevens, ten grandchildren, and his parents, Robert and Esther D.B. D.B. was a Vietnam-era veteran who has worked for three seasons as a seasonal employee with Blue Ridge Parkway. "He was a great worker with a wonderful attitude, and was a friend to everyone he met," said Superintendent Phil Francis. "This is a very sad day for his family and all of us at Blue Ridge Parkway." A memorial service will be held in near his parents' home in New Hampshire. The details of the service are to be determined. In lieu of flowers, family is requesting donations be made to the Nature Conservancy, HYPERLINK "http://www.nature.org/" www.nature.org. [Bill Reynolds, SERO]
On the morning of May 1st, a suspect fleeing from the Virginia State Police for a speeding violation entered the park in the Love Gap area. Shortly after coming onto the parkway, he lost control of his vehicle, resulting in the vehicle flipping onto its roof and catching fire. He then got out and fled into the woods. Rangers responded and assisted county and state law enforcement agencies in tracking him down. A canine tracking team quickly discovered his discarded pants. Ground-based teams and Virginia State Police helicopters continued to search for him until he was apprehended. At the time of his arrest, the 24-year-old man was naked and suffering from multiple lacerations as a result of fleeing through the wooded terrain. This is the second incident in a recent epidemic of HYPERLINK "http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewincidentsarticle&type= Incidents&id=6144" naked men attempting to elude law enforcement in the area. [Kurt Speers, Ridge District Ranger]
A 63-year-old Florida man was travelling northbound on the parkway on Monday when he crossed over the double yellow line on a curve, continued off the opposite side of the road, collided with a fallen tree, and was ejected from his motorcycle. Rangers and EMS personnel responded but could not revive him. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The man was travelling with several other riders at the time, one of whom witnessed the event. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On April 30th, G.M., 57, agreed to plead guilty to all ten counts of an indictment that had been lodged against him - seven counts of producing child pornography and one each of transporting child pornography, possessing child pornography, and possessing marijuana. The charges against G.M. were the result of his being arrested during a sobriety checkpoint on the parkway in October, 2010, when rangers detected that he was in the company of a runaway teenager. G.M.'s case required 18 months of investigation and trial preparation by the U.S. Attorney's Office, NPS law enforcement, and other law enforcement agencies. This case was further complicated by the fact that G.M. had to be extradited from Italy to the United States. G.M. will be sentenced on July 24th and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison. [Kurt Speers, Ridge District Ranger]
A Virginia woman reported that she was attacked and raped by two men at the Ground Hog Mountain picnic ground on Mother's Day. On Sunday, May 13th, the woman was transported to a local hospital, where she reported the assault to hospital staff. They in turn contacted park dispatch that evening and reported the incident. Rangers interviewed the woman, who said that she'd been walking the trail that runs through the picnic area around 3 p.m. that afternoon when she was attacked from behind by the two men. They assaulted her and then fled. She said that another woman had helped her back to her car, that she then left the area, and that about four hours after the attack she decided to go to the hospital due to the pain of her injuries. Rangers conducted a consent search of her vehicle for evidence of the crime and found a receipt dated May 13th and time stamped at 3 p.m. from a location more than 20 miles from the scene of the alleged attack. The woman was released the next day. Following consultation with the U.S. Attorney's Office, rangers turned the case over to Patrick County investigators. They contacted the woman and arranged a second interview. She reluctantly consented and the investigators met with her on May 20th. She refused to provide additional details regarding the incident. The investigation continues. [Bobby Miller, Plateau District Ranger]
Early on Wednesday, May 16th, park dispatch received a report of an accident with injuries on the parkway. Rescue personnel determined that the driver and his passenger were not wearing seatbelts when the accident occurred and had suffered head injuries, broken bones and lacerations. According to the driver, the accident had occurred around 11 p.m. the previous night. He said that a deer had crossed the road in front of him, causing him to swerve and go off the road and run head on into a creek embankment. The woman who was his passenger was thrown into the back seat, where she remained for the rest of the night. He said that he'd twice climbed up to the road shoulder in an attempt to summon help, which was corroborated by the blood trail he left along and across the parkway. On his second try, a passing driver saw him sitting on the shoulder and called 911. Both the man and woman were flown to Roanoke Memorial Hospital for treatment. Rangers conducting an inventory search of the vehicle found empty alcohol containers, a pipe containing a green leafy substance, and three containers of a synthetic drug. The operator subsequently admitted to having consumed alcohol before the accident and to possession of the drugs. Charges filed so far include operating without a driver's license, unsafe operation and possession of controlled substances. Additional charges, including DUI, are pending. [Bobby Miller, Plateau District Ranger]
An accident involving a car and three motorcycles occurred late on the morning of Friday, May 25th. Three motorcyclists - J.K. of Missouri and two of his cousins - were northbound on the parkway when a southbound sedan reportedly crossed the center line and hit J.K. head-on. J.K.'s motorcycle was knocked back more than 20 feet; he hit the car's windshield and landed on the center line. The car then went off the road and down an embankment and J.K.'s cousins lost control of their bikes and went down after hitting the debris field. J.K. was killed; the driver of the car suffered injuries to her chest and stomach and was taken to a local hospital, as was one of the cousins, who sustained a broken ankle. A regional crash team spent the rest of the day reconstructing the accident. A dozen officers were involved and/or continue to be involved in the investigation, as is the county medical examiner. The preliminary crash team findings place the point of impact in the southbound lane. [Bobby Miller, District Ranger]
On Friday, June 15th, a 68-year-old North Carolina man was heading north on the parkway on his motorcycle when he entered a section under construction. This particular section had a one lane closure due to paving and traffic was being escorted by a "pilot" vehicle. Witnesses reported that the man increased his speed, trying to catch up to traffic already passing through the area, and lost control when he crossed over into the opposing lane, which was closed. He laid his motorcycle down, causing him to slide, and then lost his helmet, causing him to suffer major head trauma. He was airlifted to Johnson City Medical Center for treatment. On Thursday, June 21st, rangers were notified he had succumbed to his injuries. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
The Transylvania County Sheriff's Department contacted the park on July 25th and reported receiving a 911 call from a woman who was threatening to commit suicide at the Devil's Courthouse Overlook. Responding rangers and county officers found the body of a 41-year-old Georgia with a gunshot wound to the head at that location. The woman had been reported missing on July 17TH by an acquaintance in Savannah. The investigation is continuing, with the Transylvania County Sheriff's Department as the lead agency. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
Rangers investigated separate suicides in the park last Thursday and Friday. On Thursday, Shenandoah dispatch notified Blue Ridge rangers that a bicyclist had seen a vehicle in a small gravel pullout off the parkway with an unresponsive woman inside who had a gun in her hand. They found the body of a 53-year-old North Carolina woman with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to her head. A note to her family was found in which she said that she'd been depressed and suffering from dependency on prescription drugs. On Friday, visitors found the body of a 43-year-old North Carolina man at a parkway overlook. Evidence indicated that he'd died from a drug overdose. The vehicle had been stolen from an acquaintance in Virginia and driven to the parkway, where it was found later that evening by some visitors who'd seen him at that same location earlier in the morning. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On Thursday, August 9th, rangers located the body of a 25-year-old Asheville woman with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to her head at the Rough Butt Bald Overlook. Rangers had noticed a vehicle at that location earlier in the day and checked on it later and found items and notes in the vehicle indicating that the woman was going to harm herself. Investigation revealed the woman had been suffering from depression. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On Monday afternoon, rangers were notified of a possible suicide along the park's Mountains to Sea Trail. A trail runner found the man a few feet off the trail and asked a passing motorist to call authorities. Rangers and officers from the Buncombe County Sheriff Department found a 52-year-old Asheville man with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head. His vehicle was parked at a roadside pullout that accesses the Mountains to Sea Trail. The man left a note with instructions for his family, plus a last will and testament that he had prepared. Although the family mentioned he had bouts with depression and was taking medication, he had never exhibited or mentioned any suicidal tendencies. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On August 20th, rangers received a report of a man walking down the parkway covered in blood. Rangers David Hynes and Dan Vrchota responded and found a 41-year-old man with stab wounds to his arm, abdomen and neck. Although he was upright and walking, he did not acknowledge the rangers' presence. He was taken into custody and treated by the rangers. A local ambulance transported him to a helispot, where he was airlifted to Charlotte Medical Center. He underwent surgery to repair his wounds there and is now in stable condition. His vehicle was found a short distance away in a parkway parking area. Ranger Dustin Gunderson is leading the investigation. [David G. Bauer, Highlands District Ranger]
The operator of a motorcycle whose passenger was killed in an accident on the parkway last summer has been convicted of vehicular manslaughter. Plateau District rangers were called to the scene of a single motorcycle collision on the park on August 267, 2011. The operator of the motorcycle was identified as D.S. and his passenger was identified as a P.M. The motorcycle was travelling north when it collided with a stone median that separates the northbound and southbound lanes. Both D.S. and P.M. were ejected from the motorcycle. P.M. was pronounced dead at the scene and D.S. was airlifted to Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Both D.S. and P.M. were under the influence of alcohol when the collision occurred. Multiple charges were filed on D.S. by the state. The collision was investigated by rangers, Botetourt County Sheriff's Department officers, and by the Blue Ridge Regional Crash Team. Earlier this month, D.S. was found guilty of vehicular manslaughter in Botetourt County District Court. Sentencing is scheduled for November 8th, at which time D.S.'s will be sentenced to 18 months in jail. [Bobby D. Miller, Plateau District Ranger]
On Wednesday morning, rangers received a report from maintenance staff at the Mount Pisgah picnic area that a vehicle parked there was covered with blood, both inside and out. As rangers responded, the maintenance employees found a 59-year-old Asheville man with a self-inflicted knife wound to his wrist and began to render first aid. Rangers arrived as well as EMS and transported the man to Mission Hospital for further treatment. The man told rangers that he was depressed with his current state of affairs and decided to end his life. At the time he cut his wrist, he also set fire to the trailer he was occupying and left when the trailer became fully engulfed. Despite losing a large amount of blood, he was able to drive to the parkway, where he was later discovered. Asheville/Buncombe Arson investigators have adopted the case. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On Sunday, July 29th, Plateau District rangers received a report of an armed robbery that had taken place underneath a parkway overpass in the area of Milepost 115. The victim showed up at a local grocery store and was later transported to a local hospital, where ranger Jim Lyon interviewed him. The man said that a woman with whom he was familiar had picked him up to give him a ride. She also picked up a second man on the way, saying that she needed to give him a ride as well. She then drove to a location within the park where the second man pulled out a pistol, assaulted the victim, and stole cash, credit cards and personal effects from him. As his assailants drove away, the man grabbed onto the car and was dragged for about a quarter mile, sustaining additional injuries. The assailants then charged over $2,500 worth of goods at local retailers on the victim's credit cars. They were subsequently identified and the woman was found and interviewed. She confessed to her involvement and identified the man who was with her. A joint investigation began, with Blue Ridge Parkway as the lead agency. Also participating were the US Attorney's Office, ATF, DEA, Roanoke City PD, Salem PD and Roanoke County PD. A number of leads were developed that involved a variety of criminal acts, including distribution of heroin, distribution of HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bath_salts_(drug)" bath salts, credit card fraud, prostitution, and weapons violations. During the week of August 20th, the man was indicted on seven charges, including armed robbery, assault, use of a firearm in the commission of a crime, and four counts of distribution of heroin. Additional charges are pending in state court. Lyon is the case agent. [Bobby D. Miller, Plateau District Ranger]
Rangers, Buncombe County officers and North Carolina State Highway Patrol troopers were notified of a body lying along the side of I-26 below the parkway on the evening of September 27th. They found that a 45-year-old Asheville man had jumped from the parkway bridge to the road below. His vehicle was located near the bridge with several notes indicating mental distress and depression. Notification was made to his wife, who reported that he had been suffering from depression, that he'd been undergoing treatment for several years, and that he had contemplated suicide and attempted it several years previously. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On Sunday, September 30th, protection rangers in the Ridge District detected and apprehended two separate groups of poachers illegally taking ginseng from park lands. A group of four was seen digging illegally by rangers Jeremy Sears and Marc Cyr; three of them were cited for the illegal removal of the plant. Rangers Zeph Cunningham and Miranda Cook then contacted two people as they walked along the parkway to their vehicle. Further investigation resulted in the rangers discovering a bag stashed in the woods that contained a large amount of ginseng and digging tools. One of the people they contacted admitted to digging the ginseng and was placed under arrest. A search of their vehicle resulted in the discovery of a second bag of ginseng. Wild ginseng is currently being sold for $500 to $600 per pound. [Kurt Speers, Ridge District Ranger]
In September of 2011, rangers discovered an area just below the parkway near the Mt. Mitchell area where recent digging into an old gem mine was apparent. The area was monitored as digging continued. On October 13th and 14th, two men were found in the site and were arrested for digging and removing HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyanite" kyanite from the pits. Both said that they had visited and dug at the site before, as well as sites on adjacent Forest Service property. A joint investigation is underway with the USFS to identify other individuals who are mining the sites. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
Last fall, rangers on several occasions saw a silver Toyota Camry in areas along the parkway known for illegal HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galax" galax harvesting. An inspection of the vehicle led to the discovery of twist ties and other items used in galax harvesting. On November 17th, rangers saw the same vehicle on the parkway and contacted the driver. He was found to have 4,140 galax leaves in his possession. The man also had been cited previously for commercially harvesting galax by the US Forest Service. On April 30th, he pleaded guilty to possession of galax and was sentenced to 30 days in jail. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
Over the past several years, rangers from Blue Ridge Parkway and officers from the US Forest Service have discovered evidence of active gem mining and mineral collection at numerous locations along the parkway and on adjacent USFS lands. The two agencies coordinated efforts to monitor the locations, in part with surveillance equipment. On October 13, 2012, rangers saw a man mining one of the sites and identified him as C.B., of Asheville, North Carolina. Over the next few months, two other men - E.S. and T.H., also from Asheville - were also found mining. All were arrested and charged with illegal removal of mineral resources. On February 26th, C.B. and E.S. appeared in court and were fined $1,200 each for removing mineral resources; on April 30th, T.H. appeared in court and was fined $500 for removing mineral resources. The investigation continues. The convicted men said that gems and minerals, particularly HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyanite" kyanite, are being traded and sold at local gem markets and are used in jewelry production. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On Sunday, June 16th, two motorcycles, one northbound and the other southbound, collided near milepost 453 on the parkway, injuring three people and killing the fourth. A husband and wife from Michigan were on the northbound motorcycle; she suffered major head trauma and he sustained two femur fractures and a collapsed lung. A North Carolina couple was on the southbound bike; he was treated and released, but she died of her injuries the next day. The accident is still under investigation. It appears that the two bikes collided near the middle of the highway. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On Friday, July 5th, a 58-year-old Asheville woman was found slumped over in her car at the Glassmine Falls Overlook. Upon investigation, she was found to have a self inflicted gunshot wound to her chest. Notes inside the vehicle indicated she was having issues with depression. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
A Virginia man was found slumped over in this car behind the Rocky Knob Visitor Center on July 4th. The building has been closed this season. Investigating rangers found that the man had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Floyd County Sheriff's had been attempting to locate the man after a note was found at his residence indicating that suicide was a possibility. [Bobby Miller, Plateau District Ranger]
Twelve park visitors were injured and two of them were hospitalized after being struck indirectly by lightning in separate incidents a week apart. On July 10th, a lightning strike at the Linville Falls Campground affected 10 people who were camping adjacent to each other - a family group of eight and two other separate campers. All self-reported to the hospital and were treated and released, except for one 37-year-old woman who was kept overnight for evaluation due to cardiac issues. She was released the following morning. On July 17th, a husband and wife from Conover, North Carolina, were traveling the parkway and stopped at Grandfather Mountain Overlook to don rain gear when it began to rain. While in the overlook, lightning struck a nearby hemlock tree, knocking the couple off their feet. The wife began experiencing cardiac issues and eventually went into cardiac arrest. Her husband began CPR and revived her. Both were initially transported to Cannon Hospital in Linville Falls, where the husband was treated and released. The wife was transported to Charlotte, North Carolina, for further treatment and evaluation. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On Friday, July 26th, hikers found the remains of a 61-year-old North Carolina man by the Swannanoa River near milepost 384. The man had been reported missing by the Asheville Police Department on July 22nd. Evidence gathered at the scene indicates a possible overdose of prescription medications, but will not be confirmed until an examination is completed. Asheville PD is pursuing the investigation. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
On Monday, September 9th, rangers arrested four people for possession of approximately 37,500 HYPERLINK "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galax" galax leaves near the Victor Fields area of the parkway. On Wednesday, all four pleaded guilty in federal court. Each was sentenced to a $2,500 fine and three days in jail. [Tim Francis, Pisgah District Ranger]
Rangers dealt with a number of significant incidents during the extended shutdown of the federal government this month: Rangers came upon a car parked along the road with several varieties of mushrooms on its front seat. When the owner returned, the rangers found that he had another six pounds of mushrooms in his possession. Investigation and a consent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of records for $22,766 in sales going back to April and a contact list for restaurants and other buyers. Records also showed that the man had sold over a thousand pounds of various mushrooms (chicken of the woods, hen of the woods, lobster, oyster, morel and chanterelle) and hundreds of pounds of ramps, which he admitted were collected on NPS, state and private lands. Charges against him are pending. A ranger served papers on a man who hit a pedestrian and two dogs with his motorcycle while drunk (.19 BAC) and speeding. An investigation was begun into a report from local police that people had been contacted by a police impersonator at two different locations on the parkway. A 76-year-old woman took a five foot fall on the Green Stone Trail, suffering injuries that left her paralyzed from the chest down. She remains in a hospital on a ventilator. Three people were injured and taken to local hospital following a head-on collision in heavy fog at Reid's Gap. Rangers also dealt with several illegal camping incidents, auto and motorcycle crashes, drug and poaching arrests, and an illegal group bike ride. [Steve Stinnett, Chief Ranger]
On the evening of January 2nd, rangers came upon a vehicle on the parkway that was associated with a 61-year-old man who'd been reported missing from the nearby town of Staunton. A search was begun for him, but was hampered by freezing rain and thick fog. On the following morning, an interagency search was launched that included the park, the Augusta County Sheriff's Office and the Virginia State Police (including a VSP helicopter). A joint decision was subsequently made to hold off on further ground-based searches until extreme cold temperatures moved out of the area. Twenty-six searchers and five dogs searched the area near the vehicle on January 9th. Late that morning, a body was discovered below the shoulder of the southbound lane of the parkway about a mile-and-a-half from the vehicle's location. Evidence at the scene suggested that he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. [Kurt W. Speers, Ridge District Ranger]
Ranger Stephen Dollinger received a report of CPR in progress at the Price Park Picnic Area during the Memorial Day weekend. When he arrived at the scene, he found two bystanders performing CPR on a 79-year-old woman in the picnic area restroom. Dollinger took over CPR. Blowing Rock Fire and Rescue soon arrived and administered one AED shock. The woman's pulse was restored, but she still needed assisted ventilations. She was transported to Watauga Medical Center, where she is in good condition. She should soon be transferred to a hospital near her home. [Dave Bauer, Highlands District Ranger]
Ranger Mike Larsen investigated a rollover accident on the parkway just after 5 a.m. on May 29th and found that the 23-year-old driver was acting strangely. The woman didn't answer Larsen's questions, said that she was being followed, and climbed back into her vehicle, which was on its side down a steep embankment. She also told Larsen that she had a gun in the back seat. When Larsen attempted to get her out of the vehicle, she punched and kicked him several times. The woman was taken to a local hospital. Although dispatch advised Larsen that the woman had a 24-hour court order for involuntary commitment out on her, the local hospital concluded that she did not meet the requirements. Larsen and Ranger David Hynes took her to a local jail to await a hearing before a magistrate the next day. Larsen and Ranger Dan Vrchota picked her up the next morning and brought her to the courthouse. As they were arriving, the woman's breathing became labored and she stopped responding. They took her to a hospital in Charlotte, where a psychologist ordered a 72-hour involuntary commitment. On June 2nd, the woman was transferred to a long term psychiatric facility. She still faces charges of DUI, failing to maintain control, possession of marijuana and paraphernalia, and assault on a federal officer. [David Bauer, District Ranger]
An 18-year-old North Carolina man was arrested Thursday evening, June 5th, in connection with a reported kidnapping earlier that day. Early Thursday morning, June 5th, maintenance worker Paul Bryan alerted rangers of an empty vehicle crashed off the road and on its side down a small embankment near mile post 234 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The responding ranger, David Hynes, found two people walking down the road a short distance from the crash scene. They said that they had crashed about 1 am and had set up camp near the road about a quarter mile from the scene. One of them, a teenage girl, had an arm injury. Alleghany Rescue Squad responded to transfer her and the uninjured man to a hospital in Elkin, North Carolina. While at the hospital the girl reported that she had been kidnapped. That evening, Steven Haynes, from Stokes County, North Carolina, was arrested at his home without incident on state charges of kidnapping, felonious restraint, assault by pointing a gun, and assault on a female. He is being held on $150,000 bail. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the FBI are leading a joint investigation. [Submitted by David Bauer]
An 83-year-old N.A.M. of Richmond, Virginia, fell to her death from the East Fork Overlook last Friday morning along. N.A.M.'s companion called Haywood County 911 to report the accident about 10:45 a.m. Her body was recovered just after 1 p.m. by the Haywood County Sheriff's Technical Rescue Team. Rescuers found N.A.M.'s body about 150 feet below the overlook, near the Pisgah National Forest. The incident remains under investigation. Source: WYFF News.
For the second year in a row, rangers have discovered the same unique graffiti near the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains. It consists of one word — PROM? — painted in white on the red rock near Sandstone Peak. It's apparently a prom proposal. Last year, a San Diego woman who posted Instagram photos of her paintings made on rock formations in various national parks, including Yosemite and Death Valley, was banned from 524 million acres of federal public land. Casey Nocket, then 23, pleaded guilty to seven misdemeanor counts and was sentenced to two years of probation and 200 hours of community work. Sandstone Peak, at about 3,111 feet, is in Ventura County in the mountains northwest of Malibu. It can be reached from via a popular hiking trail that begins at Circle X Ranch near Calabasas. Source: KTLA News.
S.W.P., 38, pleaded guilty last Monday to first-degree murder for killing his six-year-old daughter, L.P., within the boundaries of Blue Ridge Parkway. According to published reports, S.W.P., who was not supposed to have unsupervised visits with the child, took her from her temporary custodian, setting off a search for the girl. S.W.P. stabbed his daughter in the heart as two park rangers approached a campsite on the parkway. S.W.P. admitted to killing his daughter on September 9, 2016, and also admitted that he did so willfully, deliberately, maliciously, and with premeditation. S.W.P.'s plea agreement, which the court has accepted, provides that the defendant will receive a sentence of life in prison without any possibility of parole for his crime. S.W.P. remains in federal custody. A sentencing date has not been set. In making Monday's announcement U.S. Attorney Murray thanked the FBI, the National Park Service and the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office for their investigation of the case. Source: Mcdowellnews.com story.
A man was shot to death on the parkway last week in what may have been a road rage incident. Chief Ranger Neal Labrie told The Roanoke Times that two men were driving on the parkway near Roanoke's Explore Park at Milepost 116 on the morning of Tuesday, April 10th, when the shooting happened. Labrie said that one person "presented a weapon and the other responded with shooting." The shooter, 56-year-old K.S., immediately called 911 to report the shooting, which he subsequently said was in self defense. K.S. retired as a lieutenant with the Roanoke Police Department in 2006 to become police chief in Henderson, where he retired in 2013. Source: Charlotte Observer.
Several areas of the park were closed after Subtropical Storm Alberto left standing water in picnic areas, fallen trees on roads, and nearby rivers at "dangerously high levels." Chief among the closures was a section of parkway between Asheville and Mount Mitchell State Park, where debris and fallen trees blocked the road. Hiking trails have also been impacted, including the Tanawha Trail, which is closed over Boone Fork Creek because of a damaged bridge. The heavy rains associated with Alberto came on the heels of another extended wet period in the mountains that was blamed for closing the Linn Cove Viaduct. The rains associated with Alberto will keep it closed a little longer. The National Weather Service reported last Friday that rains in the Asheville area set a monthly record of 14.68 inches in May. That's an inch over the previous record of 13.75 inches, set in the 1940s. Some areas in western North Carolina got nearly 8 inches of rain over a 24 hour period this week. Source: Charlotte Observer.
A man who was arrested last October on multiple counts of vandalism on the Blue Ridge Parkway and in Shenandoah National Park was sentenced last month in the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia. J.D. of Charlottesville, Virginia, pled guilty to multiple vandalism related charges involving property damage to park signs, historic structures, mechanical equipment and vehicles. J.D. was sentenced to 11 months in jail and three years of supervised release, and was ordered to pay $15,483 in restitution. His arrest and charges stem from a high volume of vandalism on the Virginia side of the parkway and in Shenandoah between April and September 2017. The Blue Ridge Parkway spans 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to Cherokee, at the entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina. Source: Asheville Citizen Times.
A woman working a summer job at the Pisgah Inn was out hiking on July 24th when a co-worker attacked her and left her lifeless body not far from the parkway. S.E., a 29-year-old cook from Florida who began working at the inn in May, was found dead along a path near the inn's employee dorms. The man accused of killing her was D.P., 20, another concession employee at the inn. D.P. has been charged with second-degree murder, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. D.P. was the one who reported S.E. missing. Rangers and other investigators found her partially nude body off an embankment close to a trail near the parkway. D.P. later confessed to killing her. Source: Fox News.
S.P., 38, who took the life of his six-year-old daughter in the park two years ago, will spend the rest of his life in prison as a result. S.P. and his wife had been fighting over custody of the girl for some time. Buncombe County Health and Human Services eventually took her from S.P., who had temporary custody at the time, and placed her in the custody of caretakers. On September 9, 2016, S.P. picked his daughter up from her caretakers' home, and, against their warnings, took her camping along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Brevard Road. The girl's guardians notified the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office, which was preparing to issue an "Amber Alert" at the time she was killed. Just before 7 p.m. two rangers approached S.P. and his daughter, investigating what they believed to be an illegal campsite. They knew nothing about the "Amber Alert," as it was never issued. Without warning, S.P. turned away from the rangers and made a lunging movement toward his daughter, who was standing a few feet behind him, stabbing her and killing her instantly. S.P. later told the rangers that he had killed his daughter so that nobody could take her from him again. Source: Asheville Citizen Times.
Reports are beginning to come in on Hurricane Florence's impact on parks, most of them pertaining to closures and reopenings. At the time of writing (Tuesday morning), however, the storm's remnants were still moving up through New York toward New England and hadn't yet brought anticipated heavy rains to a number of sites along its projected route. Over the weekend, the NPS mobilized an incident management team to begin coordination of recovery operations for affected parks. Plans called for it to move to a location in North Carolina sometime on Monday. Here are reports from some of the larger areas in or near the storm's path — see the link below for further reports from smaller sites and additional details and updates from all areas: Blue Ridge Parkway — The entire 469-mile Blue Ridge Parkway and all associated facilities, with the exception of the Pisgah Inn and Peaks of Otter Lodge, were closed last Friday in anticipation of high winds and heavy rains due to the remnants of Hurricane Florence. Source: NPS Hurricane and Severe Weather Response webpage.
Tanbark Tunnel, located at Milepost 374.4 on the parkway, has been closed to all uses until further notice due to a piece of the tunnel's natural rock ceiling coming loose. The park and FHA are in the process of assessing the issue and will determine what repairs are needed. The closure extends from Milepost 355.3 at N.C. Route 128 to Milepost 375.6 at Ox Creek Road. The detached rock fragment, discovered during last weekend's weather related closure, is approximately four feet by three feet and up to 12 inches thick. The rock has not fallen to the road and is currently being held by a steel netting and rock bolt safety system installed on the tunnel ceiling to catch any falling rocks. Due to the significant weight of the rock and the stress it is currently putting on the safety system, repairs must be made before the tunnel can be reopened to visitors. Weather permitting, Mt. Mitchell State Park will remain open and accessible while tunnel repairs are underway. Specific information regarding daily closures related to Tanbark Tunnel, weather, or any other reason can be found at www.nps.gov/maps/blri/road-closures/. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway.
Below are short follow-ups on incidents previously reported in this newsletter: Blue Ridge Parkway — The large rock that was in danger of falling from the roof of the Tanbark Ridge Tunnel has been removed. As of November 10th, that stretch of parkway remained closed, though, due to ice and downed trees. Source: Asheville Citizen-Times.
Issues related to severe weather of one type or another have been reported at several areas since the last issue of this newsletter: Blue Ridge Parkway — Long stretches of the parkway and locations along it were closed for extended periods during the last week of November due to snow, ice, extreme cold and sub-zero wind chills (the temperature on November 28th dropped to nine degrees). Source: The Charlotte Observer, Charlotte, North Carolina.
The National Parks — Articles on the effects of the shutdown on several specific National Park Service areas — and the ad hoc and often inconsistent ways in which they're being managed during the shutdown: Blue Ridge Parkway/Shenandoah NP — "The parks have shuttered their information centers, locked the restrooms, closed the campgrounds, and left the public to its own devices," reports Blue Ridge Outdoors. "The majority of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the 40-mile stretch from the south entrance of Shenandoah National Park have remained closed and gated for over two months [due to trees that fell in a November storm]. Necessary maintenance and debris removal have halted indefinitely, leaving outdoor enthusiasts wondering when they will be able to enjoy the BRP and SNP once again." Source: Blue Ridge Outdoors.
The increasing frequency of climate-change-related severe weather closures and incidents in NPS areas has warranted the creation this intermittent Servicewide summary: Blue Ridge Parkway — The park, which is still cleaning up from Hurricane Michael, has announced that the four-mile road up Roanoke Mountain will remain closed through at least the end of the summer. It's been closed since last October, when the hurricane caused mudslides and severe flooding that has left the road unusable. The park will need to hire an engineer to survey the damage before beginning repairs to the road, but this will require contracting for an engineer via FHWA and there's no timeline yet on when that might occur. Taj Simmons, WSLS News.
A summary of recent openings, closures and other changes in the status of parks and their facilities, Blue Ridge Parkway — A storm forecast to bring freezing rain and ice across western North Carolina led the National Park Service to shut down the parkway last Friday. All but a few sections of the 469-mile-long road were closed. No word yet on the parkway's current status. Source: Charlotte Observer.
Below are short follow-ups on incidents previously reported in this newsletter. Blue Ridge Parkway — D.P., 22, of Asheville, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his co-worker, S.E. On July 24, 2018, D.P., who worked at the Pisgah Inn, murdered S.E. during the perpetration of aggravated sexual abuse. Last August, he pleaded guilty to first degree murder and two counts of aggravated sexual abuse resulting in death. Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of North Carolina.
Searchers are looking for 27-year-old C.S., who was last heard from on Monday, October 12th, when he spoke briefly with a family member. He was reported missing by family on Friday. C.S. is from Asheville, and is familiar with the area. He is in good physical health and may have some hiking or camping gear with him. His car was found at the Black Balsam parking lot. Anyone who may have seen C.S. or has information about where he may be is asked to call 828-452-6600. Officials ask people to avoid the Blue Ridge Parkway from Highway 276 to 215 while the search continues, as "heavy congestion is making search and rescue efforts difficult." Source: WXII News.
A.B., 18, died on July 26 while riding in a vehicle that left the road and crashed. The driver was hospitalized with minor injuries. A preliminary investigation shows the car was traveling southbound in a downhill curve when it left the road and landed on a guardrail. Further investigation is ongoing. Source: U.S. News
On July 31, S.E., 39, lost control on a curve and struck the guard rail before being thrown from the motorcycle. With the above accident, nine people have died in traffic accidents on the parkway in 2021; five of those involved motorcycles. Source: U.S. News
On August 8, G.W.H., 74, was killed in a crash while riding a motorcycle near the Rough Ridge Tunnel. He was riding with a group of motorcyclists when he lost control in a curve and left the roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene. With the crashes reported in the last Coalition Report, this was the seventh fatality this year on the parkway, fifth involving a motorcycle, and third within three weeks. Source: Charlotte Observer
On September 30, an unleashed dog near the Folk Art Center ran towards a bear while barking loudly. The bear, likely aggravated by the dog, attacked the owners, who retreated with their dog into their vehicle. They drove to Mission Hospital, where they were treated for their injuries and released. Temporary closures and restrictions in the area have been enacted, and the NPS and North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission are searching for the bear to capture and euthanize it. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway
On October 9, a visitor reported finding a body below Yadkin Overlook. The cause of death has been determined to be homicide. Agents from the NPS Investigative Service Branch are leading the investigation, with support from the FBI, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, and the Watauga County Sherriff's Office. Despite rumors, the FBI has stated publicly that the death is unrelated to the Gabby Petito case (see below). Source: Citizen Times (10/14), Citizen Times (10/13)
Blue Ridge Parkway — The body found on October 9 near Yadkin Valley Overlook has been identified as a 33-year-old from Rhode Island. The incident is being investigated as a homicide by the NPS Investigative Services Branch, FBI, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and Watauga County Sheriff's Office. Source: Blowing Rocket
Blue Ridge Parkway — The incident related to a body found near the Yadkin Valley Overlook on October 9 is still under investigation as a homicide. The NPS is now asking for anyone who took pictures or videos that day along the highway to share them with the park's anonymous tip channels. Source: Smoky Mountain News
Blue Ridge Parkway — More details have been released for the 33-year-old victim found dead near milepost 289.8 on October 9, 2021. The victim traveled with two other people in a 2018 silver Chevrolet Equinox from Rhode Island to North Carolina. The FBI and NPS are asking the public to contact them if they saw any of the people involved between October 6-7. Source: WSPA
On March 9, a rock slide resulted in a blockage of both lanes between Mount Mitchell and Craggy Gardens Visitor Center. The debris took several days to clean up and 16 miles of highway were closed during that time. Source: Charlotte Observer
On April 7, a 22-year-old passed away due to a motor vehicle collision near milepost 290. It appears the driver was driving southbound and failed to negotiate a left-hand curve, leaving the roadway and colliding with a tree. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway
From September 25-30, many parks around the southeastern United States enacted closures due to the forecasted path of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Ian. Biscayne, Fort Pulaski, Gulf Islands, and Timucuan have reopened for normal operations. Canaveral National Seashore, Carl Sandburg, Everglades and Dry Tortugas partially reopened some areas. Other parks remain closed and have not yet publicly disclosed the effects of the storm, as of October 2. Source: WALA, Everglades National Park, Blue Ridge Parkway, Congaree National Park, Gulf Islands National Seashore, Charles Pinckney National Historic Site, Fort Frederica National Monument, Cumberland Island National Seashore, Canaveral National Seashore, Fort Pulaski National Monument, Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, National Parks Traveler October 19, 2022 On October 3, the American Federation of Government Employees filed an unfair labor practice charge with the Federal Labor Relations Authority against the National Park Service. The alleged violation is knowingly permitting an agency manager to file a petition seeking to decertify the AFGE local representing NPS employees at the Blue Ridge Parkway. A group of employees represented by a different union had changed their affiliation to AFGE, and that unit had been consolidated with another local unit in September 2021. The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation backed an individual in trying to decertify the newly consolidated unit, which was denied by the FLRA. An appeal for a full review by the FLRA was granted in July 2022, but the individual had been promoted to a management position during that time and no longer considered a member of the union. Source: American Federation of Government Employees December 14, 2022 On December 9, boulders and soil fell onto the parkway near the Montvale Overlook. The NPS has closed a 14-mile section between Virginia 43 (Bearwallow Gap) at Buchanan to U.S. 360 east of Roanoke for cleanup and assessment. It is unclear when the road will reopen. Source: The Roanoke Times February 8, 2023 On January 25, while responding to a report of damaged gates near the U.S. Route 276 entrance to the Parkway, rangers observed an unoccupied vehicle in a nearby overlook that appeared to have damage consistent with attempting to drive through a closed gate. The vehicle was registered to a 39-year-old. A search for the individual was started, including NPS staff, Transylvania County Sheriff's Office, Transylvania County Rescue Squad, Transylvania County Emergency Management, Henderson County Rescue Squad, Haywood County Rescue Squad, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, Brevard Fire Department, Cedar Mountain Fire Rescue, Rosman Fire Rescue, Lake Toxaway Fire Rescue, North Transylvania Fire Rescue, Little River Fire Department, Haywood County Emergency Management, Haywood County Sheriff's Office, National Weather Service Greenville-Spartanburg, North Carolina State Highway Patrol, South Carolina Search and Rescue Dog Association, North Carolina Forest Service, and Connestee Fire Rescue. The individual was found on January 26 in a remote area near Frying Pan Tower. He was extracted, treated for exposure-related injuries, and transported to the Transylvania Regional Hospital in stable condition. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway, Transylvania County Sheriff's Office Facebook page February 22, 2023 On February 14, a 67-year-old was driving a motorcycle northbound in a curve near milepost 90, close to the Upper Goose Creek Valley Overlook, when they drifted into the southbound lane and into the path of an oncoming motorcycle. The driver of the southbound motorcycle attempted to avoid colliding, but was unsuccessful. The northbound driver was found deceased on the scene, while the southbound driver suffered minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. The crash is under investigation. Preliminary investigations indicate that the northbound driver may have suffered a medical emergency. Source: WYFF February 22, 2023 The NPS has reopened the parkway north of Roanoke between Route 460 and Peaks of Otter. It had been closed since a December rockslide, and reopening was delayed by further winter storms. Source: WDBJ
On March 3, the park announced that repairs to a section of the parkway near Dawnwood Road is taking longer than expected, necessitating a continuation of the road closure until mid-summer. Heavy rains in May 2020 triggered a landslide that took out a 150-foot section of the parkway and damaging the culvert system. A 15-mile section from U.S. 460 in Clearbrook to the top of Bent Mountain has been closed since the incident. Source: The Roanoke Times
On April 9, rock fall happened near French Broad Overlook, requiring a closure from Brevard Road/N.C. 191 to the N.C. 151 entrance. The road was able to be reopened the following day. Source: Citizen Times
On May 4, a 65-year-old was cycling with a group at the end of the rider line when the individual fell to the road shoulder near Milepost 430, north of Richland Balsam. Motorists administered CPR until medics arrived. The individual was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway
Early in the morning on May 30, a 33-year-old was found deceased near milepost 221 on the Parkway. NPS law enforcement arrived on scene and found the individual had been struck by a vehicle. An investigation is underway by the NPS Investigative Services Branch with assistance from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, North Carolina Highway Patrol, and Alleghany County Sheriffs Department. They are looking for any information the public can provide. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway
The Federal Labor Relations Authority ruled that under their own regulations, individuals cannot file decertification petitions against their union within 12 months of multiple bargaining units being consolidated into one. Federal law does not explicitly ban the practice. The decision comes after employees at Blue Ridge Parkway petitioned the FLRA to consolidate their bargaining unit under the National Association of Government Employees with another unit to come under the American Federation of Government Employees. Shortly thereafter, a member of the unit filed a petition to decertify the newly consolidated union, backed by the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, an anti-labor organization. Source: Government Executive
From mid-May to early June, "aggressive" bear encounters were reported along the Bull Mountain Trail. In one incident, an unleashed dog provoked the bear into attacking a leashed dog. The dog sustained serious injuries and was later euthanized by a veterinarian. At least two other bluff charges on hikers were reported. The park closed a half-mile section of the trail at mile marker 381. Source: Charlotte Observer
On June 27, NPS contractors removed the wreckage of a Cessna 414A plane that crashed near Waterrock Knob in November 1983. The crash site is on land that was donated to the parkway in 2016. Since the site became public, the plane and its resultant visitation have created safety, ecological, and cultural concerns. The wreckage was removed by helicopter. Source: The Transylvania Times
On July 1, a 35-year-old was driving a motorcycle near milepost 74, when they ran off the road on a sharp curve. The individual was ejected off the motorcycle and hit their head on a large rock. The individual passed away at the scene from crash injuries. The individual was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Source: WFXR
On August 24, the Blue Ridge Parkway will close the Otter Creek Campground for the season, two months ahead of schedule. The closure is necessary due to limited staffing; the park reported it was only able to hire 64% of its planned seasonal employees. Otter Creek is a lower occupancy campground. Visitors with reservations will be contacted about refunds and other options for camping at nearby campgrounds on the parkway. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway
On September 23, a 61-year-old fell 150 feet at the Glassmine Falls Overlook. First responders from Reems Creek Fire Department utilized technical rope skills to reach the individual. The individual passed away from their injuries. Source: News 5 Cleveland
In March, a law enforcement ranger came upon a vehicle parked across two parking spaces at the Roanoke River Trail. Upon doing a welfare check, the officer smelled marijuana. After the 28-year-old occupant admitted to having marijuana, the officer conducted a search of the vehicle. During the search, the officer discovered an unregistered, sawed-off shotgun, 50 rounds of assorted ammunition, and seven expended shotgun shells. The NPS and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted an investigation. On October 2, the individual pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly possessing an unregistered firearm. The individual will be sentenced on January 28, 2024. Source: U.S. Attorney's Office: Western District of Virginia
On September 28 at around 3:15am, two people were sitting in a parked car at the Waterrock Knob Overlook at Milepost 455. A separate car accelerated around the parking lot once, sped toward the parked car, and abruptly stopped in front of it. A 22-year-old opened the passenger door of the parked car and pointed a semi-automatic gun at the two individuals. The suspect pulled one of the individuals out of the car by their hair and arm, threatening to hurt them if they didn't comply. The victim asked if the suspect planned to rape them and the suspect nodded. The suspect then hit the individual in the face, causing bruising and temporary hearing loss, and fired the gun in the air before repointing it at the two victims. The second victim eventually convinced the suspect to let them go. The victims reported the incident to law enforcement and one of them said they knew the suspect through Snapchat and believed the individual had used the app's location sharing feature to find them. The following day, the suspect was interviewed and claimed that they had drank excessively and woken up with no recollection of what had happened. Upon further questioning, the suspect said they had been "friends with benefits" and had exchanged nude photos with one of the victims. On the night of the crime, the suspect had texted that person to hang out and they had responded they were tired and planned to be at home. Later, the suspect saw the individual was on the parkway based on their Snapchat location. This upset the suspect, who decided to go scare them. The suspect was arrested and formally charged by a grand jury with one charge of kidnapping, two counts of assault with intent to commit a felony, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon with intent to do bodily harm, and possession and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence. The individual remains in federal custody. Source: Citizen Times
On October 30, the parkway closed an eight-mile stretch between Craggy Gardens Picnic Area (Milepost 367.6) and Ox Creek Road (Milepost 375.6) due to multiple reports of visitors feeding and "attempting to hold" a young bear at the Lane Pinnacle Overlook. NPS staff are hopeful the closure will cause the bear to lose interest in the area before habituation creates an unsafe situation for visitors and the bear. Source: Citizen Times
On November 15, the parkway closed the section from Milepost 66.3 near Highway 501 to Milepost 85.9 at Virginia Route 43 to assist crews fighting the Matt's Creek Fire in the Jefferson National Forest. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway
On December 13, the NPS closed the area known as "Sled Hill" near milepost 294.5 at the intersection of Shulls Mill Road and the Blue Ridge Parkway to all winter activities. They also closed parking along the nearby administrative access road and portions of Shulls Mill Road that are within the park boundaries. The area had become popular for sledding, tubing, skiing, and snowboarding, but it was not designed for high levels of use. Due to unsafe traffic conditions, the park decided to close it to protect visitor safety. Fencing and signage will be installed. The park may issue citations for those not in compliance. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway
On March 30, a wildfire started near the Peaks of Otter area. Several trails were closed to manage the blaze. On March 31, the fire was contained at 12.6 acres. Responding agencies included the NPS, U.S. Forest Service, and Bedford (VA) Fire Department. Trails remained closed through April 1 to allow power company personnel access to make repairs. No structures were affected by the fire. A preliminary investigation "indicates the cause of the fire to be a downed power line." Source: Blue Ridge Parkway
On May 29, the park was notified of a shooting near milepost 398. A single shooting victim, age 19, was transported to Mission Hospital. They were said to be in critical condition. Early investigation indicates this was "a targeted crime and there is no threat to the public." The parkway was temporarily closed between mileposts 393.6 and 405. The road reopened later that day. The investigation is ongoing and is led by the NPS Investigative Services Branch with support from parkway staff and the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway, WYFF
On July 23, two motorcyclists were traveling northbound on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Milepost 32. One of them realized the other, a 21-year-old, was no longer following behind them. They searched for their companion but were unable to find them, and they called 911. Personnel from the Virginia State Police, local emergency services, and Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources responded, and discovered the individual about 15 feet down an embankment, having crashed their motorcycle. They were found deceased. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway
On September 9, a 67-year-old was riding a motorcycle with a group southbound near milepost 377 when they failed to make a turn, departed from the lane, and hit a car traveling northbound. The operator of the motorcycle passed away in the incident. The driver of the northbound car sustained minor injuries. Buncombe County (NC) Fire personnel supported the emergency response. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway
On September 17, a vehicle left the roadway near milepost 101 at a high rate of speed and hit a tree, causing the tree to fall on the car. Personnel from the NPS and local emergency agencies responded. The driver, 36-years-old, passed away due to injuries sustained in the accident. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway
Many parks were affected by Hurricane Helene, up and down the Eastern seaboard. The following updates are as of Tuesday, October 1. For the latest update, please see each park's website. Blue Ridge Parkway: The full length of the parkway in North Carolina is closed due to damage. One park report called it "catastrophic damage."
Many parks were affected by Hurricane Helene, up and down the Eastern seaboard the week of September 22. Several parks were still in recovery when Hurricane Milton landed the week of October 6. The following updates are as of Monday, October 14. For the latest updates, please see each park's website. Blue Ridge Parkway: The full length of the parkway was closed due to damage from Hurricane Helene. One park report called it "catastrophic damage," while another documented "tens of thousands of trees across the roadway and nearly three dozen rock and mud slides." The NPS deployed its Eastern Incident Management Team to support recovery, including 214 NPS employees representing 57 national park units. On October 11, the parkway reopened milepost 0 to milepost 198 in Virginia. Source: WSET, Blue Ridge Parkway (10/8, 10/11)
The parkway has seen an increase in visitors "entering closed areas and vandalizing safety barriers" along the parkway, which has many closures in place due to damage sustained in Hurricane Helene. Unauthorized use is dangerous for visitors and slows recovery operations. The parkway has announced that it will begin enforcing closure violations with citations as necessary. Source: Fox Carolina
On October 23, the parkway reopened from Bamboo Gap (milepost 285.5) to Beacon Heights (milepost 305). This is the first section of roadway to open in North Carolina since Hurricane Helene. Many sites remain closed within that corridor, and visitors should follow directions on local signage. NPS staff from 64 parks and offices continue to work to assess and repair damage along the parkway. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway
On October 30, the parkway restored access to two sections, from Milepost 411.8 at US 276 to Milepost 421 at Black Balsam, and from Milepost 423.2 at NC 215 to Milepost 469 at US 441 in Cherokee, North Carolina. On November 1, the parkway opened two sections, 16 miles from Milepost 201 near Fancy Gap to Milepost 217.3 at NC Route 18, and six miles from Milepost 405.5 near NC Route 151 to Milepost 411.8 at NC Route 276. On November 6, the parkway reopened 11 miles from Milepost 382.5 at US 70 near the Folk Art Center to Milepost 393.6 at NC Route 191 near the North Carolina Arboretum. Recovery from Hurricane Helene is ongoing and much of the parkway and assorted sites along open segments remain closed. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway (10/30, 11/1 - first, second, 11/6)
On November 11, a 53-year-old went into cardiac arrest while hiking on the Humpback Rocks Trail (near Milepost 6). Other visitors administered CPR. Personnel from the NPS and other "local first responders" also arrived on scene and attempted resuscitation but were unsuccessful. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway
On November 24, two people were hiking on the Price Lake Trail when one, 70-years-old experienced a "medical emergency." Their companion left them on the trail to seek assistance. Personnel from the NPS and the Blowing Rock (NC) Fire Department responded to the scene, where they met up with the companion. The individual was found off the trail and deceased. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway
On January 28, a 73-year-old bicyclist was found deceased lying beside their bicycle on the side of the road near milepost 58. Preliminary investigation indicates the individual died due to a medical emergency during a stop, while on a bike ride. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway
The Citizen Times published an article about the ongoing recovery from Tropical Storm Helene in September 2024. Over 100 miles of road are still closed, and it is estimated that the total repair bill is "likely to exceed $1 billion." Some damaged sections may reopen in late summer or early fall, while others may take two to three years to repair. Source: Citizen Times
On March 23, a car traveling northbound on the parkway near milepost 11 in Nelson County, Virginia, struck a tree limb, left the roadway, then struck a large tree and caught on fire. Both the driver and the passenger, 62- and 60-years-old, respectively, passed away in the crash. The driver was an off-duty NPS employee at Blue Ridge Parkway (see "Park People" above), and the passenger was the individual's spouse. The parkway was closed for a short time while crews extinguished the fire. Responding agencies included the NPS, Augusta County Sheriff's Department, Wintergreen Fire Rescue and EMS, Nelson County, George Washington National Forest, and Jefferson National Forest. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway
The NPS gave an update on the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene, which hit in September 2024. 312 miles of the 469-mile parkway have reopened. Emergency roadway repairs have begun in eight slide locations. Many sections of the parkway remain closed. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway
On April 18, a 40-year-old hiker fell into "waters adjacent to the Boone Fork Trail" (near milepost 297). Personnel from the NPS and Watauga and Blowing Rock (NC) EMS responded to the incident, recovered the individual from the water, and performed CPR. Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful and the individual was pronounced deceased at the scene. A preliminary investigation suggests the individual died from injuries sustained in the fall. Source: WLOS
On May 31, a "suspicious item" was found in a dirt pull-off near an intersection adjacent to the Folk Art Center. Personnel from the NPS, Asheville (NC) Police Department bomb squad, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation responded. During the investigation, the Folk Art Center and a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway were temporarily closed. The item, identified as an improvised incendiary device, was safely removed. The NPS Investigative Services Branch is leading the investigation. The NPS is asking the public to report any information they might have about the incident. Source: WYFF, WSPA
On June 1, a 60-year-old was driving a motorcycle, heading north near Milepost 162, when they collided with a deer crossing the road. The individual was ejected and sustained serious injuries. Personnel from the NPS and Floyd County (VA) Fire and EMS responded to the scene. The individual was transported by helicopter to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. The individual died due to their injuries on June 14. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway On June 20, a 44-year-old was driving a motorcycle northbound near Milepost 126 when they struck a car turning left into an overlook. Personnel from the NPS and Roanoke County (VA) EMS, Fire, and Police responded to the scene. The motorcyclist was deceased when emergency responders arrived, and the driver and passenger of the turning car sustained minor injuries. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway On June 21, a 67-year-old was bicycling near Milepost 7 when they got into an accident with a vehicle. Personnel from the NPS and Waynesboro (VA) Fire and EMS responded to the scene. They provided "medical care" to the cyclist, but they passed away from their injuries at the scene. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident and no further details have been released as of June 24. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway
On July 13, a 58-year-old went into "medical distress" about a mile from the Graveyard Fields Overlook Trail near Milepost 418. Personnel from the NPS and Haywood County (NC) EMS responded to the scene and began CPR on site. The individual was pronounced deceased in the ambulance enroute to Haywood Regional Hospital. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway
On July 14, a 68-year-old motorcyclist was traveling southbound near Wintergreen, Virginia, when they left the road shoulder, veered back onto the road, flipped, then came to a stop. The individual was transported to a local hospital, and later died from injuries incurred in the crash. This is the third fatal motorcycle crash since June 1 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Source: The Charlotte Observer
On July 21, the parkway opened the road from milepost 305.2, near Beacon Heights and U.S. 221, to milepost 317.5, at U.S. 221 at the access point to Linville Falls. This section has been closed since Hurricane Helene hit the region in September 2024. Due to remaining damage, Linville Falls spur road, campground, picnic area, and visitor center remain closed. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway
On August 4, the NPS opened the parkway between Milepost 280.9 and 285.5, near Bamboo Gap. It has been closed since Hurricane Helene hit the region in September 2024. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway
On August 15, the parkway reopened 30 campsites at Julian Price Campground (milepost 297). The rest of the campground will remain closed through 2025 for further repair. Also on August 15, the NPS reopened the parkway from milepost 221.8 to 229.7, south of the North Carolina-Virginia state line. This reopening also included a long-planned bridge maintenance project at milepost 225. The campground and road segment have been closed since Hurricane Helene hit the region in September 2024. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway (8/8, 8/15)
On August 22, the NPS announced the reopening of milepost 393 to milepost 420 after a major landslide repair project at milepost 401.5. On August 29, the NPS announced the completion of a landslide repair project at milepost 422, near Devil's Courthouse. The section of road from milepost 382 to 422 is now open. Both sections of road have been closed since Hurricane Helene hit the region in September 2024. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway (7/22, 7/29)
On March 31, the NPS posted an update on ongoing recovery efforts from damage sustained in 2024 from Hurricane Helene. Work is currently underway at 45 remaining sites, mostly between Mileposts 317 and 355. Source: Blue Ridge Parkway
Dating back to March, two stray dogs have been roaming the ridgeline near Fork Ridge Overlook. Visitors have reported the dogs multiple times on community pages, documenting them losing weight over time, and an injury on one of their faces. On April 18, the NPS received a report describing the dogs as "aggressive" near milepost 451 at Waterrock Knob. The road was closed to investigate, but the dogs were not found, and the road later reopened. On April 20, the NPS shut down the road between mileposts 443 and 455 to attempt to trap the dogs and move them to a Jackson County (NC) Animal Services shelter. After a five-day search, the NPS announced the dog "appear to have left the area" and the parkway was reopened. Source: WLOS, The News and Observer | |