Candler man killed in late night crash while working along I-26 in Buncombe County

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — Police say one man has been charged following a fatal crash late Sunday night that took the life of a road construction worker in Woodfin.

Police say on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, at approximately 11:46 p.m. a vehicle driven by Caleb Luke Grindstaff, 30, of Bakersville, crashed on Future I-26 West between the exits for UNC Asheville (25) and Elk Mountain Road (24).

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Road construction worker Dario Caravajal Dominguez, 50, of Candler, died at the scene. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) says Dominguez was an employee of a contractor performing bridge work between exits 25 and 24.

Grindstaff was charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. Grindstaff was arrested and taken to the Buncombe County Detention Center where he is currently being held on a $5,000.00 secured bond.

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This incident remains under investigation.

Officials with NCDOT say signs and cones were up to alert drivers in the area last night. Officials are urging people to slow down in work zones.

“We ask people to really pay attention of those signs," said Chris Deyton, resident engineer with NCDOT. "Be sure and slow down when they come through a work zone. We have a lot of people working within just a few feet of the vehicles as they come through, so definitely be watchful as they come through.”

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Woodfin Police Department at 828-253-4889.

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This is a developing story. Check back at WLOS.com for updates.