Jason Marcus Hughes, 55, of Canton, North Carolina, died Friday, September 18, 2026, after his Harley-Davidson motorcycle was struck by a Honda CR-V on U.S. 23/74 in Haywood County.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol said the crash happened around 12:19 p.m. near mile marker 97. Hughes was traveling west when the Honda failed to yield and collided with his motorcycle.
Key Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jason Marcus Hughes |
| Age | 55 |
| Hometown | Canton, North Carolina |
| Date of Crash | September 18, 2026 |
| Location | U.S. 23/74, Haywood County |
| Direction | Westbound |
| Motorcycle | Harley-Davidson |
| Other Vehicle | Honda CR-V |
| Fatal Injuries | Hughes died at the scene |
| Other Driver | Lola Pauline Ernesti, 82 |
| Charges | Failure to yield and misdemeanor death by vehicle |
| Impairment | Not suspected, according to troopers |
Following the collision, Hughes’ motorcycle left the roadway and struck a guardrail. Emergency responders were unable to save him, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Honda driver, identified as Lola Pauline Ernesti of Waynesville, was subsequently charged in connection with the crash. The Highway Patrol reported that impairment was not suspected.
The fatal collision has left Hughes’ loved ones facing the sudden loss of a 55-year-old member of the Canton community. While the crash investigation focuses on the circumstances surrounding the collision, family and friends are left remembering the person behind the report.
Hughes’ death also highlights the serious consequences that can result when vehicles fail to yield along busy highways. The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to document the circumstances of the collision.
Additional personal information and funeral arrangements were not included in the latest verified reports. Memorial details will be announced by the family when available.