A Western North Carolina man has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from a fatal hit and run. The Henderson County District Attorney's Office says Jason Ryan Blackwell hit and killed a pedestrian in October of 2023.
The crash happened on Highway 176 in Flat Rock and left the victim, 44 year old Dustin Byrnside dead. The North Carolina Highway Patrol says Blackwell moved Byrnside's body out of the road before driving away.
Troopers say Blackwell was later taken into custody and a blood test revealed he had Xanax and marijuana in his system.
He entered guilty pleas to fatal hit and run, driving while impaired, reckless endangerment and driving with a revoked license. Blackwell will spend between 8 and 11 years in prison.
