Westbound Honda Pilot hit by vehicle, injuring Lucinda Terrell
February 09, 2026 | Tulare, CA
A 64-year-old man lost his life in a single-vehicle accident on U.S. Route 321 near Blowing Rock, North Carolina, on Feb. 8.
The incident involved Erwin Collins driving northbound when his vehicle veered off the road, struck a guardrail, and overturned.
Jack Terrell, 90, was killed and Lucinda Terrell, 79, seriously injured in a head-on crash on Highway 190 east of Success Valley Drive.
What Happened in the Crash?
Authorities reported that the accident occurred around 2:30 p.m. Key details include:
- Driver: Erwin Collins, 64, pronounced dead at the scene.
- Passengers: Front-seat passenger airlifted to a Tennessee hospital with serious injuries, and back-seat passenger treated in Watauga County for unspecified injuries. Names not released.
- Vehicle Path: Crossed the center line, exited the roadway, hit a guardrail, and flipped over.
- Location: Near the Caldwell-Watauga county line, close to the Highway 321 entrance to Blowing Rock.
The crash is under active investigation by local authorities to determine the exact cause.
Why Do These Accidents Happen?
Single-vehicle accidents like this one on Route 321 can stem from various factors, including driver distraction, fatigue, impairment, or reckless speeding. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), these incidents contribute significantly to road safety challenges.
Factor |
Annual Impact (U.S.) |
Source |
|---|
Distracted Driving |
Over 3,000 fatalities |
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) |
Fatigued Driving |
Approximately 6,000 crashes |
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) |
Impairment (Alcohol/Drugs) |
10,000+ deaths |
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) |
Speeding in Single-Vehicle Crashes |
30% of fatal single-vehicle incidents |
NHTSA |
The NTSB notes that more than 19,000 people suffer injuries yearly in such crashes nationwide, with the majority deemed preventable through safer driving practices.
Legal Insights
In cases such as this, conducting an independent investigation promptly is crucial to preserve evidence and understand contributing factors.
“In addition to a police report, an attorney will carefully review what may have contributed to the crash,” said Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal and a national analyst for Newsline. “Your lawyer has the resources to hire witnesses, conduct driver background checks, locate witnesses to the crash and review applicable insurance coverage. Serving as an advocate, an attorney can help compassionately guide victims during this difficult time, while protecting their legal rights.”
Key takeaways from legal analysts:
- Investigation Importance: An independent investigation helps identify causes like distraction or impairment, beyond initial police findings.
- Passenger Rights: Injured passengers may pursue claims for medical costs, lost wages, pain, and emotional distress against the driver's insurance.
- Civil Actions: When unsafe driving leads to harm, victims can seek compensation through lawsuits, unaffected by their own policies.
“Passengers who suffer injuries following a collision have several options in pursuing a personal injury lawsuit,” Bond added. “The passenger may open a claim with the insurance company of the vehicle they were occupied in if their driver is held liable. It has no effect on one's own insurance policy since the claim is being made against a policy that is not their own.”
“When vehicle accidents result from unsafe driving, aggressive or distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence, victims are usually left with the option to pursue a civil action,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal.
Pending investigation outcomes, the injured passengers could be eligible for personal injury claims covering rehabilitation, lost income, and suffering.
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Have you experienced a similar accident and need guidance? Contact national legal analyst Candice Bond at Newsline for a free, no-obligation consultation today.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).