A pedestrian was struck and killed by a City of Asheville sanitation vehicle Wednesday, according to the Asheville Police Department.
The incident occurred near the intersection of Highland Place and Sunset View at approximately 7:45 a.m. on April 16.
The victim was identified as Sally Anne Wheeler, 74, who succumbed to her injuries at the scene. Her next of kin has been notified.
Asheville Police Department confirmed that a City of Asheville garbage truck driver hit Wheeler in the street of her neighborhood called Highland Gate.
Valerie Patton said her neighbor and friend, Wheeler always showed love and care to everyone she knew.
APD Deputy Chief Sean Aardema told News 13 Wednesday afternoon that APD investigators don’t know if the garbage truck driver was going forward or in reverse. He said detectives are reviewing footage.
News 13 spoke with a neighbor off-camera who saw Wheeler’s lifeless body after the collision. She said Wheeler’s body was at the intersection of Sunset View and Highland Place.
Multiple residents told News 13 that garbage collection days on Wednesdays are challenging because of bears in the community which is an urban forest off Town Mountain Road.
Ramos said the bears are part of their urban forest neighborhood and residents are aware that the bears know the routine with garbage truck routes in the early morning hours. She said residents respect the bears that live in the woods around them and this is their home.
The residential area sits more than 2,000 feet above the city with sweeping views of Asheville and narrow, steep roads.
The city is conducting an internal review per standard procedures. The employee involved has also been placed on non-disciplinary administrative leave while the investigation continues.
Aardema said the garbage truck driver was the first to call 911 and “was extremely torn up.”
Local law enforcement is leading the investigation. Aardema said APD’s investigation will get sent to District Attorney Todd Williams to decide if the truck driver will face any charges or citations.
Aardema said investigators should have a detailed public report released by Monday, April 21.
Neighbors said they’re focused on the tragedy of losing a wonderful friend and doing what they can to support Sally Wheeler’s husband Wayne as he faces the loss of his wife.
Neighbors told News 13 that the couple has an adult son who lives in the San Francisco area.
“She (Wheeler) has always been helpful to everybody, she’s just a ray of sunshine every day,” said Patton.
“I had met her and she was a lovely, wonderful person,” said Ramos. “This is just so sad.”
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Asheville Police Department at (828) 252-1110. You can also send an anonymous tip by texting TIP2APD to 847411 or using the TIP2APD smartphone app.
