Matthew Michel Huante
A Highlands man was arrested on Friday, July 3 after authorities allege he brandished a knife during an argument.
According to Highlands Police Department reports, Matthew Michel Huante, 24, of Highlands, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of assault with a deadly weapon (not inflicting injury) and one misdemeanor count of destruction or damage to property.
The incident took place just after 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 2 in a parking area near the intersection of Main Street and Fifth Street. According to reports, the victims called 911 when Huante waived a knife at them and then stabbed their vehicle tire.
Huante allegedly left the scene but was apprehended the following morning.
“On Friday, July 3, Highlands Police Department, assisted by Macon County Sheriff’s Office, arrested 24 year-old Matthew Huante on warrants for two offenses of misdemeanor assault,” HPD officer Tim Broughton said in a written statement. “These warrants were issued in connection with an investigation of an assault with a knife (not inflicting injury) which happened during the evening of July 2. Huante was issued a $4,000 secured bond.”
According to Macon County Detention Center records, Huante posted bond and was subsequently released.
Vehicle accident snarls traffic
A tractor-trailer and a car collided on US 64 East in the Cullasaja Gorge on Thursday, July 2 and backed up the morning commute for miles.
According to NC State Highway Patrol reports, Jeremy Quinn Jones, of Asheville was driving a 2020 Volvo commercial truck east on US 64 in the direction of Highlands just after 7 a.m. when he crossed the center line and struck a 2017 Nissan sedan driven by Charles Lee Williamson, of Franklin.
Because the accident happened in a narrow section of the Cullasaja Gorge, both vehicles were moved to the parking are of Jackson Hole Gem Mine prior to the arrival of law enforcement, according to the report. No injuries were reported as a result of the accident.
Jones was cited for a designated truck route violation since large commercial trucks are not allowed on US 64 between Walnut Creek Road and NC 106.