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Rangers Take Lead on Case of Bloodied Man Found Near 421 Overpass; Injuries: ‘Not Life Threatening’

By Paul T. Choate

Aug. 20, 2012. At approximately 11 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 20, Deep Gap first responders and Watauga Medics responded to calls regarding a bloodied, injured man walking along the Blue Ridge Parkway near U.S. 421.

According to Mark Parsons, chief of the Deep Gap Fire Department, the victim was suffering from lacerations to the neck, lower abdomen and left arm. He added that the injuries did not appear to be life threatening, despite the victim being airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

Little is known about the victim at present.

 “I don’t even know how old the boy is. We were guessing 30-ish,” said Parsons, adding also that the victim is known to be Hispanic.

According to Parsons, the Blue Ridge Parkway Rangers were the first on the scene with two officers there when he arrived. They had already called in for Deep Gap first responders and Watauga Medics. Parsons said Watauga and Ashe sheriff’s deputies also responded to the scene.

According to the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office, the Parkway Rangers have taken jurisdiction of the case and as of 4:30 p.m. had been taking inventory of a van, which is of interest in the case. The van is currently being held in impound at the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office after being transported there from Jeffress Park on the Parkway.

As of press time, calls to Blue Ridge Parkway law enforcement have not been returned.

Stay with High Country Press as more details are made available on the incident.