Pedestrian killed on I-240 in Asheville; driver charged

ASHEVILLE - A pedestrian on the shoulder of Interstate 240 through Asheville was hit and killed Saturday, according to police.

Police say their investigation showed Christian Blade Johnson, 23, of Asheville was walking on the side of Interstate 240 near Chunns Cove Road at 6:04 a.m. when he was struck and killed by a 1990 Chevrolet GMT 400 operated by Aaron Lee Thurman, 26, of Black Mountain.

Johnson died at the scene. Thurman has been charged with driving while impaired with more charges likely coming, officials said.

Officers believe Thurman had been drinking alcohol, police spokeswoman Jerri Jameson said. Police are awaiting results of a blood test to determine his exact blood alcohol level, Jameson said.

She declined to say what the other charges would be, but said they were "pending further investigation and consultation with the district attorney."

Thurman was booked at the Buncombe County Detention Center and released on a $1,000 secured bond, a detention center employee said.

Thurman graduated from Owen High in 2008, according to Citizen-Times archives.

Johnson was walking on the right shoulder of the interstate and was believed to be walking to work at Harris-Teeter on Merrimon Avenue when he was struck.

He was an Asheville native who graduated from Asheville High, according to an obituary. He had worked at Ingles and was working in the delicatessen at Harris-Teeter.

A gathering of family and friends is planned for 5-7 p.m. Friday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue.