Woman did not die of accident injuries

By Carey Phillips

Gail Fugate, 46, died at her residence hours after she was involved in the wreck near her home in Chattooga Woods, which is located off N.C. 107 south of Cashiers.

"I really don't have a cause of death at this point other than to say it didn't appear she had any trauma from the accident that would have caused her death," said Dr. Sam Davis, medical examiner.

Sgt. Matt Wike of the N.C. Highway Patrol said an investigation into Fugate's death is being conducted by the Jackson County Sheriff's Department. Evidence of foul play has not been uncovered, said Sheriff's Department Detective David Grant.

Trooper Denny Wood, who investigated the 12:30 a.m. accident, said Fugate was walking around and signed a refusal for medical treatment. Her only apparent injury was a slight limp in her left leg, he said.

Fugate was alone in her Jeep Cherokee when the vehicle went off the road and into a ditch landing on its side, said Wood, who commented further that Fugate could not have been traveling more than 20 mph at the time of the accident.

Back to Archive: 01/10/02.