Woman sentenced for deadly hit-and-run crash in Buncombe Co.

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office said a woman recently pleaded guilty to a hit-and-run crash that left a motorcyclist dead in 2022.

Officials said 21-year-old Estafania Salgado Mata pleaded guilty to felonious hit and run resulting in death on April 29.

According to officials, the crash happened along US-70 on July 7, 2022.

Officials explained that the motorcyclist, Terence Duane Weaver, was traveling along US-70 with a female passenger at around 10:30 p.m. when he lost control and crashed. Officials stated that shortly after, a car hit and killed Weaver while he was lying in the roadway and did not stop. Officials added that the female passenger was knocked unconscious by the crash but later recovered.

Following the crash, an autopsy ruled that Weaver died from blunt forced injuries. However, officials were unable to determine whether his injuries were caused by the motorcycle crash or being hit by the car afterward. Officials also discovered that Weaver was not wearing a helmet and had alcohol in his system at the time of the crash.

Officials eventually identified Mata as the driver of the car that hit Weaver and took her into custody.

“Mr. Weaver’s family were advised of the guilty plea, were present in court for sentencing, and expressed appreciation for the work performed by investigators with the N.C. Highway Patrol,” District Attorney Todd Williams said. “I wish the family peace and healing.”

After pleading guilty, Mata was sentenced to a 16-29 months suspended prison term and 36 months of supervised probation. Mata was also ordered not to drive while on probation, perform 100 hours of community service, and serve a 30-day split sentence in jail.