Gastonia woman starts fundraiser to cover funeral costs after multiple family members killed in I-485 crash

A woman from Gastonia started a fundraiser after she lost her son, two grandchildren, and her niece in Saturday’s deadly accident on I-485, according to GoFundMe. Six people, in total, were killed in the accident.

The woman, April NaCole, says her 16-year-old daughter survived the accident but has a long road to recovery due to injuries sustained in the crash. 

Authorities responded to a fatal crash involving three vehicles on I-485 outer loop between Wilkinson Blvd and West Blvd in Mecklenburg County just after 11am on July 26th.

Troopers say a Honda CRV, driven by 16-year-old Logan Sauer, was traveling on I-485 outer loop in the middle lane. A Chrysler van, driven by 27-year-old Samuel Holmes, was traveling on I-485 outer loop in the right lane, according to authorities. Troopers say Sauer traveled into the right lane and collided with the Chrysler van. After impact, both vehicles traveled off the right side of the roadway and collided with a parked tractor-trailer, according to the accident description provided by Troopers.

Sauer, of Mooresville, was the only occupant in the Honda CRV. Sauer was pronounced dead on the scene.

Five of the six occupants inside the van were killed in the crash, according to MEDIC. A 16-year-old girl was transported to Atrium Main, according to authorities. She is expected to recover from her injuries.

Troopers identified the victims from the van as:

Samuel Jacob Holmes, 27
Taylor Willis, 23
Brynlon Holmes, 1
Addyson Holmes, 3
Kamron Wood, 8

The operator of the tractor-trailer was not injured in the crash. The investigation remains ongoing at this time. Troopers say no charges are expected to be filed.