A fatal accident at the Weaverville branch of Zips Car Wash in North Carolina claimed the life of 26-year-old Carolina “Brea” Franks.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday evening, January 13 involved Franks becoming entangled in the car wash equipment, leading to her death. Officials confirmed that Franks, a resident of Buncombe County, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Employed at Zips Car Wash for approximately five months, Franks was not originally scheduled to work on the day of the accident. According to her grandmother, Ernestine Franks, Carolina had filled in for a colleague who canceled. Ernestine, who raised Carolina from the age of six, shared that her granddaughter had just returned from visiting her in Kentucky mere hours before the incident.
The Weaverville Police Department, along with the North Carolina Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA), is conducting an investigation into the accident. Details about how Franks became trapped in the equipment and the precise cause of her death are still under investigation.
Zips Car Wash, which is headquartered in Texas and has more than 230 locations nationwide, expressed condolences through spokesperson Sarah Elizabeth Falanga. Falanga stated the company’s commitment to safety and their full cooperation with the investigation. The Weaverville location remains closed out of respect for Franks and the affected team members.
Remembered for her hard work and cheerful demeanor, Carolina Franks’ obituary describes her as a “bright light in the lives of many” and a person dearly loved by those who knew her. Her love for animals and her joyful spirit were noted. Franks is survived by her fiancé, Michael King, grandmother, and numerous extended family members and friends.
