Dion Brothers Sentenced to Prison for March 2023 Vehicular Homicide
ASHEVILLE – Calvin Tyler Dion, 22 of Candler, was convicted yesterday of Second Degree Murder, and Felony Hit and Run Inflicting Serious Injury or Death after pleading guilty as charged. Pursuant to a negotiated plea, Superior Court Judge Marvin Pope consolidated the charges and sentenced Calvin Dion to serve an active term of 108-142 months in prison.
Allen Blayze Dion, 22, Calvin’s twin brother also of Candler, was convicted of Accessory after the Fact to Felony Hit and Run Inflicting Serious Injury or Death and other charges. Judge Pope sentenced Allen Dion to serve an active term of 10-21 months in prison.
On March 1, 2023 the Asheville Police Department (APD) initiated an investigation after a blue Honda Civic swerved into 28-year-old James Haywood Shearon as he rode his bicycle along Grove Street. Shearon suffered severe head trauma as a result of the crash and died from his injuries on March 8, 2023.
Security footage obtained by APD in the wreck's immediate aftermath showed a car driving away from the scene. Investigators determined Calvin Dion was driving the vehicle that struck Shearon. Dion later admitted to driving the Honda and leaving the scene after the crash. Allen Blayze Dion was in the area shortly after and told Calvin over Facebook Messenger not to come back to Grove Street because police were there.
James Shearon’s family was advised of the negotiated plea, appeared in court, and spoke before sentencing. Members of the family spoke tearfully of their profound grief, their love of James, and stated that even the death penalty, if it were available in this case, could not account for the family’s loss of James.
In North Carolina a sentence of death is permitted only after a defendant has been charged and found guilty of First Degree Murder.
“The District Attorney’s Office thanks APD investigators for putting together an iron-clad case that ended with a guilty plea as charged. North Carolina law protects all who use our streets and highways from dangerous acts committed without regard for others’ safety, no matter the mode or choice of transporation. I wish the victim’s family peace and healing,” District Attorney Todd Williams said.
Prior reporting:
https://wlos.com/news/local/asheville-hit-run-arrest-grove-street-bicylist-cyclist-james-shearon-police
https://www.wyff4.com/article/twin-brother-deadly-hit-and-run-north-carolina/44675177
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