Mills River, NC (May 26, 2025) – A Hendersonville man remains hospitalized after a serious Memorial Day weekend crash involving an empty gasoline tanker on North Carolina Highway 280.
Accident Details: According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, 31-year-old Samuel Mullenax was driving a Ford Explorer on NC-280 near Gash Road around 9:41 p.m. on Sunday, May 25, when a tanker truck made an improper left turn out of a driveway. The Ford collided with the tanker’s trailer, causing serious injuries to Mullenax.
The truck, which was not carrying fuel at the time, remained intact during the collision. Authorities said the impact did not penetrate the tank.
Emergency crews transported Mullenax to Mission Hospital in Asheville. Troopers said doctors placed him in a medically managed coma due to the number of surgeries required, but noted he remains in stable condition and is expected to recover.
The driver of the tanker, 30-year-old Stephen Neill, also of Hendersonville, was not injured and has been charged with failure to yield.
Legal Considerations: Left-turn crashes onto highways are among the most frequent collision types on five-lane roads like NC-280. Investigators determined Neill was at fault for not yielding before turning onto the highway. If further findings confirm negligence, Mullenax may be eligible to pursue compensation for medical expenses, ongoing care, and time away from work.
Commercial vehicle cases often involve additional layers of liability, including company oversight and training practices, which could factor into any legal proceedings.
Ongoing Investigation: The crash closed portions of NC-280 to a single lane in each direction for about three hours. Authorities continue to gather evidence and assess road and vehicle conditions at the time of the collision.
I hope Samuel Mullenax makes a full recovery and commend the medical team working through his surgeries and care.
Source: MSN.com