Man killed in 421 crash
By Melanie Davis
melanie@highcountrymedia.net

An early morning accident killed one man on U.S. 421 North. The accident involving two passenger vehicles and one tractor-trailer occurred at approximately 7:30 a.m. near the Valley Pantry grocery store in the Cove Creek area.

Authorities said a Nissan Xterra driven by Marshall Shawn Hopper, 31, of Zionville was traveling southbound when the vehicle crossed the center line hitting a northbound Chevrolet Corsica on the driver’s side front. The Corsica was turned around by the impact and collided head-on with a northbound Kenworth tractor-trailer.

The Corsica was pinned to the guardrail by the empty log truck, driven by Billy Staley, 59, of Millers Creek. The driver had to be extricated from the vehicle by Watauga Medics.

The driver of the Corsica, William Craig Isaacs, 40, of Zionville, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Staley was transported with minor injuries to Watauga Medical Center. Hopper was not injured in the accident and said he fell asleep at the wheel.

Cove Creek Volunteer Fire Department and first responders, Watauga Medics and Watauga Rescue responded to the scene. Both lanes of N.C. 421 were closed for several hours while emergency workers cleared the scene. Cove Creek firefighters directed traffic through a detour around the area.

Trooper T.B. Hendricks of the N.C. Highway Patrol stated charges against Hopper are pending. Hendricks will consult with the district attorney’s office before determining specific charges.