ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A man driving the wrong way on Interstate 26 was traveling about 90 miles per hour when he hit another vehicle head-on, authorities said.
Ryan Ricky Houston, 41, has been identified as the driver of the wrong-way vehicle, North Carolina State Highway Patrol 1st Sgt. Cody Smith said.
The crash, which happened near Exit 11 just before 11 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, claimed the life of former Marshall Police Chief Mike Boone.
“He was traveling eastbound in the westbound lane and the chief was traveling westbound,” Smith said. “He struck the police chief’s vehicle head-on.”
The trooper said authorities did not know why Houston was traveling against traffic.
“As to the why he was going the wrong way, I don’t know,” Smith said. “I don’t know why he got on going the wrong way. There was no chase, nobody was chasing him.”
Boone had retired July 31, Marshall officials said.
FORMER MARSHALL POLICE CHIEF KILLED IN CRASH
The fatal crash was the culmination of a series of events involving Houston, who was out on bond for attempted first-degree murder and assault on law enforcement in Buncombe County.
On Thursday, Houston was involved in a crash on I-40 in McDowell County.
Authorities said Monday a woman in the vehicle with Houston died from stab wounds. She was identified as Malerie Lauren Crisp, 41, of Asheville.
MANHUNT UNDERWAY FOR HOME INVASION SUSPECT
McDowell County authorities said Houston was suspected in a home invasion that happened about midnight Thursday. They said a man forced his way into a home in McDowell County, assaulted the homeowner and stole a firearm and vehicle. The stolen vehicle was found a short time later on I-40 near Exit 90.
Authorities believe Houston then broke into Skyline Marine near that interstate exit and stole a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 truck.
The sheriff’s office said Friday that authorities believed Houston to be armed and dangerous and warned people not to approach him but to call law enforcement immediately if he was spotted.
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Then the fatal crash happened Friday night.
It is unclear whether Houston’s movements were being monitored while he was out on bond.
“We understand that there is significant public interest around this matter; however, as this is an ongoing investigation, we are unable to provide additional information at this time,” Buncombe County Communications and Public Engagement Director Lillian Govus said.
