Statesville, North Carolina (October 24, 2025) — A 60-year-old woman from York, South Carolina, was killed Thursday night after a tractor-trailer slammed into an SUV stopped in traffic on Interstate 77, setting both vehicles ablaze, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
Incident Details: The fatal collision occurred around 8:30 p.m. near mile marker 49 on I-77 southbound. Investigators said a Freightliner tractor-trailer driven by Aniello Marro Chavarria, 56, of Statesville, struck the rear of a stationary SUV occupied by Kimberly Taylor Cox, 60, and Daniel Lawrence Heisig, 40, of Charlotte. The force of the impact engulfed both vehicles in flames.
Emergency responders extinguished the fire and transported both occupants of the SUV to Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Tragically, Taylor Cox succumbed to her injuries at the hospital, while Heisig survived with non-life-threatening injuries. Three dogs traveling in the SUV also died in the crash. Chavarria, the semi-truck driver, was uninjured. Interstate 77 remained closed for approximately four hours as troopers conducted their investigation and cleared the wreckage.
Investigation: The North Carolina State Highway Patrol’s Collision Reconstruction Unit is continuing to investigate the cause of the crash. Preliminary findings indicate that the SUV was stopped in traffic when the tractor-trailer failed to slow down in time, striking it from behind at high speed. Troopers are evaluating whether distraction, fatigue, or inattention played a role and reviewing Chavarria’s driving history and logbooks for compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rest-hour and safety regulations.
State troopers confirmed they will consult with Iredell County prosecutors about possible criminal charges against the truck driver. Mechanical inspections of the Freightliner, including its braking system and onboard data recorder, will also be part of the investigation.
Additionally, since the impact caused a post-collision fire, investigators will assess whether the truck’s fuel system or design contributed to the severity of the incident, potentially implicating vehicle manufacturers or maintenance providers.
Legal Considerations: Rear-end collisions involving tractor-trailers frequently raise negligence and regulatory noncompliance issues. Truck drivers are required to maintain safe following distances and adjust speed according to traffic flow. If evidence shows that the semi driver failed to do so, both he and his employer could face liability for wrongful death and personal injury.
The Cox family may file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for funeral expenses, loss of companionship, and emotional distress. Additionally, Mr. Heisig may pursue a personal injury claim to help cover his medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
I extend my deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Kimberly Taylor Cox, and wish Daniel Heisig comfort and healing as he recovers.
Source: The Charlotte Observer