By Melanie Marshall
The Watauga Democrat
BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — Two members of Blowing Rock Fire & Rescue were killed Sunday afternoon in a vehicle collision on U.S. 221 in McDowell County.
Jeremy Gordon Bolick, 23, and Charles Thomas “Tommy” Wright, 20, were attending a training session at McDowell Fire and Rescue College in Marion.
Bolick lost control of his 2008 Ford Mustang approximately four miles north of Marion on U.S. 221, striking an oncoming 2006 Chrysler 300M.
Sgt. D.K. Ownes of the N.C. Highway Patrol said Bolick was traveling 75 mph in 50 mph zone on wet roads. The mustang spun out of control and the driver’s side door struck the front of the Chrysler.
Both Bolick and Wright were pronounced dead at the scene. The occupants of the other vehicle, Cynthia and Jeffrey Bassett, both 51, of Florida, were transported to Mission Memorial Hospital in Asheville.
Owens said the driver, Cynthia Bassett, is listed in critical but stable condition and Jeffrey Bassett is listed in extreme critical in intensive care.
A statement released by BRFR says Bolick joined the department in October 2007 and Wright joined in September 2009. Both were earning Firefighter I certifications.
Wright is the son of Watauga High School athletic director Tom Wright. Information on Bolick’s family was not available as of Monday morning.
Republished with permission from the Watauga Democrat.