Reported Road Rage Incident

PRESS RELEASE-

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2025

On Thursday July 17, 2025 Deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to US 19 near Glenn Drive to the scene of a reported “road rage” incident where a vehicle had rammed another vehicle and the suspect fired six to seven shots at the victim’s vehicle.

Shortly after CCSO deputies arrived, the victims indicated to deputies that the driver of the other vehicle was Odis Zachary Luther of Andrews, NC. The victim advised that it all stemmed from an argument about possible stolen property. When the victims left the scene of the alleged argument, Luther jumped in his vehicle and chased after the victims. According to the victims, Luther began shooting at the vehicle as they travelled east on US Highway 19, then began ramming his vehicle into the rear end of the victim’s vehicle and causing them to crash near the Glenn Drive/US Highway 19 intersection. All victims on scene required further medical treatment and were transported to Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital.

Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office immediately began searching for Luther. After hours of searching for Luther, Lt. Mitch Morgan with the Cherokee County Sheriff Office located a suspicious vehicle in the Marble community. Lt. Morgan then observed Luther attempting to flee in a boat in a pond located off of Columbia Marble Plant Road.

Deputies surrounded the pond and Luther surrendered himself without incident. Luther was charged with eight counts of Assault with a Deadly Weapon with Intent to Kill Inflicting Serious Injury.

This is an ongoing investigation if anyone has any information on the incident please contact the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office at (828) 837-2589.

All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.