A 26-year-old woman, Carolina “Brea” Franks, tragically lost her life in a fatal accident at the Weaverville, North Carolina branch of Zips Car Wash. The incident occurred on Saturday evening, January 13.
Franks was caught up in the car wash machinery, leading to her death. She was a resident of Buncombe County and was declared dead at the scene by officials.
Franks, who was an employee at Zips Car Wash for approximately five months, was not originally set to work on the day of the accident. According to Ernestine Franks, her grandmother, Carolina had taken over a shift for a colleague who couldn’t come in. Carolina had recently returned from visiting her grandmother in Kentucky just hours before the incident.
The Weaverville Police Department and the North Carolina Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) are presently investigating the accident. The specific cause of Franks’ death and the circumstances that led to her getting stuck in the machinery are still being examined.
Zips Car Wash, a company based in Texas with over 230 locations across the country, extended its condolences through its spokesperson, Sarah Elizabeth Falanga. Falanga ensured the company’s complete cooperation with the investigation and reiterated their commitment to safety. The Weaverville branch has been temporarily closed as a mark of respect for Franks and her colleagues.
Carolina Franks is fondly remembered for her diligent work ethic and pleasant disposition. Her obituary described her as a “bright light in the lives of many” and a person deeply cherished by those who knew her. She had a great affection for animals and a spirit full of joy. She is survived by her fiancé, Michael King, grandmother, and several relatives and friends.
