On Saturday, July 26, 2025, at approximately 11:00 a.m., a devastating multi‑vehicle collision occurred on Interstate 485’s outer loop in west Charlotte, between Wilkinson and West Boulevards. The crash involved a Honda CR‑V driven by 16‑year‑old Logan Paul Sauer of Mooresville and a Chrysler van carrying six passengers, all of which veered off the road and collided with a parked tractor‑trailer. Six people died at the scene, and one was transported to the hospital with injuries.
Authorities confirmed that Sauer was the sole occupant of the Honda CR‑V. He merged from the middle lane into the right lane, striking the Chrysler van driven by 27‑year‑old Samuel Jacob Holmes. Following the initial impact, both vehicles veered onto the shoulder and struck a parked tractor‑trailer, resulting in fatal injuries for all occupants of both vehicles except one.
Inside the Chrysler van were six individuals, including three young children. Along with the driver, the victims identified by troopers were 23‑year‑old Taylor Willis, 1‑year‑old Brynlon Holmes, 3‑year‑old Addyson Holmes, and 8‑year‑old Kamron Wood. Their identities and the tragic loss of life prompted an outpouring of grief from the Gaston County community.
A 16‑year‑old girl was the lone survivor from the van. She was transported by MEDIC to Atrium Main Hospital with injuries described as non‑life‑threatening and expected to recover. The tractor‑trailer driver was uninjured and remained at the scene to cooperate with investigators.
State Highway Patrol officials have indicated that the crash is under investigation, but at this time, no criminal charges are expected related to the collision.
Community members have responded with compassion. In Gastonia, a local woman launched a fundraiser to assist with funeral expenses for the families affected, particularly those who lost children in the crash. The fund aims to support grieving relatives as they cope with this tragic loss.
The Mooresville community has been deeply affected by the sudden death of Logan Paul Sauer, whose young life ended in a fraction of a second. As investigations continue, officials are urging drivers to exercise caution when changing lanes and navigating high-speed intersections, particularly near stopped or parked heavy vehicles. The crash serves as an urgent reminder of the dangers posed by seemingly routine maneuvers on busy highways.
The impact of this tragedy has rippled through multiple communities—Mooresville, Gaston County, and Charlotte—highlighting the fragility of life and the profound consequences of traffic incidents. Families and friends of the victims await further details, including memorial arrangements, as they begin the difficult process of mourning and remembrance.
In the days following, further community support and local tributes are expected, as those who knew both Sauer and the other victims reflect on lives cut short. As investigations move forward, families and community members continue to seek closure and healing amid the heartbreak this collision has left in its wake.