A two-vehicle crash resulted in the death of two people Sunday evening, Sept. 25, in Marion.
A spokesperson for the Marion Police Department said around 5:15 pm Sunday two cars collided on Highway 70 in Marion near Old Highway 10, in the 1600 block of East Court Street.
A preliminary investigation reported a 2005 Ford driven by John Russell 53, of Marion, was traveling eastbound on Highway 70 crossed the center line and struck a 2018 Chevrolet SUV driven by Juana Guardian, 31, of Marion, which was traveling westbound on Highway 70.
Police say Russell, who was the sole occupant of the Ford, and a 10-year-old female in the backseat of the Chevrolet were fatally injured, with five others involved in the crash. Two patients were airlifted in critical condition by MAMA and MedCenter Air helicopters to Mission Hospital in Asheville. Baltazar Ortiz and a 4-year-old child, who were passengers in the Chevrolet, remain in critical condition at Mission Hospital, police said. The remaining three juveniles from the Chevrolet were transported to Mission Hospital in Asheville, where they were treated for non-life threatening injuries.
The other three people in the crash were transported by emergency vehicles to Mission Hospital Trauma Center in Asheville with serious injuries.
Very limited details were released Sunday night, pending next of kin notifications. Officials said more information will be released Monday, Sept. 26.
Responding agencies included: Marion Fire Department, Nebo Fire Department, McDowell EMS, McDowell Rescue, McDowell Emergency Management, Marion
