Jorge Narino Obituary, Death: Wrong-way crash in Belmont leaves one dead, interstate shut down.

Jorge Narino Obituary, Death – A deadly wrong-way collision brought traffic to a halt on Interstate 85 in Gaston County early Friday morning, May 2. According to the Belmont Police Department, the crash occurred around 1:23 a.m. near mile marker 25 on the northbound side of the highway.

Officers had just received multiple calls warning of a driver traveling in the wrong direction when the crash was reported. Upon arriving at the scene, they discovered two damaged vehicles: a Hyundai Elantra and a Mercedes Sprinter transit van. Authorities quickly determined that the Hyundai had been traveling against the flow of traffic when it collided with the van.

The driver of the Hyundai was identified as 23-year-old Jorge Narino, a Charlotte resident. Sadly, Narino was pronounced dead at the scene. The exact reason for his driving the wrong way remains unclear, and investigators are continuing to look into what led to the fatal mistake.

Meanwhile, the driver of the Mercedes transit van suffered only minor injuries. They were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment and are expected to recover. Their identity has not been released.

The impact of the crash led to a full closure of all northbound lanes of Interstate 85 in the area. Emergency crews, along with accident investigators and cleanup teams, worked for several hours to secure the scene, examine the vehicles, and remove the wreckage. The road closure caused significant disruption to early morning commuters, with traffic being redirected and detoured until the scene was fully cleared.

The Belmont Police Department is actively investigating the crash. They have not ruled out any potential causes, including impairment, distraction, or confusion, but stress that the investigation is still in its early stages. Officers are seeking help from anyone who may have seen the crash or the wrong-way driver prior to the impact. They encourage witnesses or those with dashcam footage to come forward and share any information that may aid the investigation.

Sergeant Kevin Wingate is leading the case for the Belmont Police Department and can be contacted directly at 704-825-3792 for tips or additional details.

This crash adds to a troubling trend of wrong-way accidents, which often result in serious injuries or fatalities due to the high-speed nature of such collisions. Law enforcement officials across the region continue to emphasize the importance of staying alert while driving and reporting unusual or dangerous behavior as soon as it’s observed.

In the wake of this tragedy, the Belmont community extends condolences to the family and friends of Jorge Narino. While the circumstances of the crash remain under investigation, authorities are urging the public to exercise caution, especially during late-night and early-morning driving hours when visibility is low and the risk of driver fatigue or impairment is higher.

Officials have not indicated whether toxicology reports will be part of the investigation, but such procedures are typical in fatal accidents. Additionally, traffic engineers may be called to evaluate the section of Interstate 85 where the crash happened to assess whether any roadway factors contributed to the incident.

The Belmont Police Department plans to release further updates as the investigation progresses and more details become available. For now, the department’s focus remains on uncovering what led to the wrong-way driving that ended in a fatal crash and working to ensure similar incidents can be prevented in the future.

As the community mourns the loss of a young life, authorities are using this moment to remind drivers about the importance of safe driving practices, awareness, and immediate reporting of suspicious activity on the roads. Wrong-way crashes, though rare, are particularly dangerous and often leave little chance for those involved to react or escape without harm.

Those traveling in the area later in the day on Friday were met with cleared lanes and resumed traffic flow. However, the memory of the tragic accident lingers, particularly for first responders, witnesses, and those who knew the victim.

The crash serves as another somber reminder of how quickly life can change on the road, and why vigilance, responsibility, and prompt communication with authorities can play a crucial role in road safety.