Asheville cyclist dies after being struck by vehicles

ASHEVILLE – An Asheville woman was killed Tuesday morning after being struck by two vehicles while she bicycled east toward Edneyville on Chimney Rock Road.

Carrie Byrnside, 25, of Asheville, was pronounced dead at scene, shortly after the accident occurred about 6:15 a.m., said Trooper Haley Martin of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

The accident occurred in front of Mr. Pete’s Market at 2650 Chimney Rock Road, outside Hendersonville city limits, Martin said.

Byrnside was cycling in the middle of the far left lane without a helmet or reflective gear, Martin said.

Conditions were “pitch black dark” because no lights exist in that area to illuminate the road, Martin said.

The driver of the pickup truck that first struck Byrnside said he did not see the cyclist until he hit her, Martin said.

A second vehicle hit Byrnside after the pickup truck, Martin said.

Drugs and alcohol were not factors in the accident, Martin said.

The accident remains under investigation and no charges are being filed at this time, Martin said. No other injuries occurred.

Because Byrnside was traveling slower than other traffic on the road, the law required her to be cycling in the right lane or the shoulder, Martin said.

“We recommend cyclists wear reflective clothing to make sure they are visible,” Martin said.

Martin also recommended that cyclists wear helmets.

The accident shut down the road for about an hour and a half, Martin said.