Logan Paul Sauer, Samuel Jacob Holmes Obituary, Death News; NTSB begins probe into I-485 crash in Charlotte that left six dead
Logan Paul Sauer, Samuel Jacob Holmes Obituary, Death News – Federal investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are set to examine the fatal crash that took place Saturday on Interstate 485 in Charlotte, North Carolina, which claimed the lives of six people. NTSB spokesperson Keith Holloway confirmed that the agency will be focusing its inquiry on several safety-related issues. These include the experience of the drivers involved, the safety concerns surrounding truck parking on highway shoulders, and how well the involved vehicles were able to withstand the impact of the crash.
The crash happened at around 11:07 a.m. on the I-485 Outer Loop near Wilkinson Boulevard. According to reports, a Honda CR-V moved from the center lane into the right lane and collided with a Chrysler van. The impact sent both vehicles into a tractor trailer that was parked on the shoulder of the road. Tragically, the collision resulted in multiple fatalities.
Those killed in the crash include 16-year-old Logan Paul Sauer, who was driving the Honda CR-V, and 27-year-old Samuel Jacob Holmes, the driver of the Chrysler van. The van was also carrying Taylor Willis, 23, along with her 1-year-old daughter, Brynlon Holmes, her 3-year-old daughter, Addyson Holmes, and 8-year-old cousin, Kamron Wood. All of them were pronounced dead at the scene.
The only survivor from the van was Willis’s 16-year-old sister, who was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries. According to a fundraiser on SpotFund, she suffered a broken pelvic bone. The page, created by Taylor Willis’s mother April Willis, appealed for help with funeral expenses and medical costs, saying, “We need all the help we can get… If you can’t give, please pray.”
The driver of the parked tractor trailer was not injured in the crash.
NTSB investigators are expected to arrive in Charlotte on Tuesday to begin their work on-site. Holloway added that a preliminary report on the crash would likely be posted on the NTSB’s official website within about 30 days. In addition to the federal probe, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol is conducting its own investigation into the incident. Master Trooper Robert Rogers stated that a formal crash report would be released in the coming weeks.
This deadly collision has sparked a renewed conversation about the dangers of vehicles being parked on the shoulder of busy highways, particularly large commercial trucks. It has also raised questions about highway safety standards and the vulnerability of passenger vehicles in multi-vehicle crashes.
The tragedy has left the local community reeling, as friends, family members, and even strangers come together in support of the victims’ families. The crash has highlighted the importance of both roadway safety and community compassion in the aftermath of devastating events.
