Missing man found dead from accident

By Carey Phillips

The victim was identified as 60-year-old Gary Russell Newlin.

Two N.C. Department of Transportation officials were preparing to mow an area off Grindstaff Cove Road near the intersection with U.S. 23-74 just after 9 a.m. Wednesday when they discovered the wreckage, according to Sylva Assistant Police Chief Mary Cook.

The vehicle was found over a guardrail and down an embankment, out of view from the road, Cook said.

Upon further investigation, Cook discovered that Newlin left his job at Wal-Mart in Sylva at 7 a.m. Sunday but did not report for work at 7 p.m. Sunday. Newlin, who lived alone, was missed on Monday by his landlord, who notified Newlin's relatives Tuesday. They were in the process of filing a missing person's report when the body was found.

Though no autopsy was performed, the medical examiner said Newlin apparently died of injuries sustained in the wreck, Cook said.

Newlin was operating a 1988 GMC MP westbound on U.S. 23-74 and took the Sylva Exit (83). As he came down the ramp, Cook said his vehicle hit the curb, damaging a tire. At the end of the ramp, the vehicle went straight across Grindstaff Cove Road, over the guardrail and down the embankment.

Sylva Police Chief Jeff Jamison reported at last Thursday's meeting of town commissioners that the ramp had been the location of several accidents and near accidents over the years. He said he intended to ask DOT officials to investigate safety measures that could be taken at that location.

Back to Archive: 10/10/02.