The North Carolina State Highway Patrol has charged a driver after a deadly crash in Rockingham County involving a city of Eden vehicle and power crews. The North Carolina Highway Patrol said four people were killed, three victims were injured, and the driver who hit them was also injured in the crash Thursday afternoon in the area of Church Street in Eden.The driver of the Eden city dump truck was identified by the Highway Patrol as Michael Ray Vernon, 66, of Eden. Investigators said Vernon ran a stop sign, hit six men working for Carolina Power and Signalization who were conducting powerline work in the area. Four men died at the scene, including three Carolina Power employees and the contract inspector, according to Carolina Power & Signalization. The state Highway Patrol said Vernon also hit a bucket truck before colliding with a ditch. One person in the bucket of the truck was injured. He was taken to a hospital for minor injuries.Two pedestrians were air-lifted to a hospital, the Highway Patrol said. One of the survivors is in critical condition, the other is described as being stable. The victims were identified by the state Highway Patrol as follows:Douglas Garland Sides, of Summerfield, 72Madison Carter, of Sandy Ridge, 32William Evans, of Randleman, 35 Matthew Lockwood, of Winston-Salem, 30According to the state Highway Patrol, Vernon suffered minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Vernon has been charged with a stop sign violation and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. Impairment is not believed to be a factor, the state Highway Patrol said. The city of Eden also confirmed that Vernon had been placed on administrative leave.The crash remains under investigation.Duke Energy reports that some of their contractors who were working for them were involved in the incident. "We are saddened about the tragic event that happened today, and our hearts go out to the families and teammates of those involved," they said in a partial statement. A family member of one of the victims killed said a trash truck was involved in the crash that hit power crews, but that's unconfirmed by the North Carolina Highway Patrol and the Eden Police Department. One of the victim's family members said, "He was a lineman who loved the job, everybody loved him, he was a great, great guy and brother." Duke Energy released the following statement:“We are saddened about the tragic event that happened today, and our hearts go out to the families and teammates of those involved. The safety of our employees, contractors and customers is the highest priority at Duke Energy. We are working closely with law enforcement officials." Carolina Power & Signalization released the following statement on Friday:"Yesterday, a Carolina Power crew working on an electric distribution project in North Carolina experienced a tragic event. A large truck, owned by the city of Eden, entered a work zone striking six employees, as well as a third-party inspector. This resulted in four fatalities (three Carolina Power employees and the contract inspector). The two additional Carolina Power employees remain hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. According to various news reports, the driver of the city truck was charged with running a stop sign and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. The North Carolina Highway Patrol is leading the investigation of the incident. Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims, colleagues, and family members impacted by this horrific event."The North Carolina Governor’s Office released the following statement on Friday:“Governor Stein and his wife Anna extend their deepest condolences to the four families who lost a loved one under such tragic circumstances. Keeping workers safe on roads is a shared responsibility, and we must do all that we can to promote road safety.”Neville Hall, mayor of Eden, released a video statement about the incident.“I come to you today, with a heavy heart to tell you about an incident that occurred in Eden today,” Hall said in part. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families of this terrible incident, and I would like to thank the first responders for the job that they did." Rockingham County leaders released a joint statement:"On behalf of the employees of Rockingham County and the Board of Commissioners, we extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the families of those who tragically lost their lives in Eden on Thursday. This devastating loss is one that touches not just their loved ones, but our entire community. To those who were injured, we send our sincerest wishes for strength and a full recovery. We would like to thank the first responders and others who assisted following the tragic accident. Our prayers are with each of those affected by this accident in the challenging days to come."The city of Eden originally released the following statement after the incident: "At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 24 the City of Eden Police and Fire Department responded to a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Church Street, Carroll Street and Park Road. Upon arrival, first responders discovered that a City of Eden motor vehicle was involved in an accident where fatalities occurred. The North Carolina State Patrol is investigating the accident. No further statements will be forthcoming at this time." Emergency crews have not released any more details at this time. However, workers were seen back at the scene on Friday morning surveying the damage. 11 p.m. Breaking News update: What we now know about the crash and victims. 6 p.m. Breaking News update: More about the victims after talking with family members. 5 p.m. Breaking News update: Victim's family member details his account of what occurred during the deadly crash incident. 4:30 p.m. Breaking News update: City of Eden vehicle involved in crash. WXII 12's Joshua Davis has more from the scene. 4:15 p.m. Breaking News update:Rockingham County Government reports injuries with crash in Eden. 4 p.m. Breaking News update: Rockingham County Government reports injuries after crash in Rockingham Co. 3 p.m. Breaking News update: Major crash incident reported in Eden, in Rockingham Co. Extended Video of Scene RELATED COVERAGE Click the video player above to watch the latest headlines from WXII 12 News.Keep up with the latest news and weather by downloading the WXII app here.
EDEN, N.C. —
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol has charged a driver after a deadly crash in Rockingham County involving a city of Eden vehicle and power crews.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol said four people were killed, three victims were injured, and the driver who hit them was also injured in the crash Thursday afternoon in the area of Church Street in Eden.
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The driver of the Eden city dump truck was identified by the Highway Patrol as Michael Ray Vernon, 66, of Eden.
Investigators said Vernon ran a stop sign, hit six men working for Carolina Power and Signalization who were conducting powerline work in the area. Four men died at the scene, including three Carolina Power employees and the contract inspector, according to Carolina Power & Signalization.
The state Highway Patrol said Vernon also hit a bucket truck before colliding with a ditch. One person in the bucket of the truck was injured. He was taken to a hospital for minor injuries.
Two pedestrians were air-lifted to a hospital, the Highway Patrol said. One of the survivors is in critical condition, the other is described as being stable.
The victims were identified by the state Highway Patrol as follows:
- Douglas Garland Sides, of Summerfield, 72
- Madison Carter, of Sandy Ridge, 32
- William Evans, of Randleman, 35
- Matthew Lockwood, of Winston-Salem, 30
According to the state Highway Patrol, Vernon suffered minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. Vernon has been charged with a stop sign violation and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. Impairment is not believed to be a factor, the state Highway Patrol said. The city of Eden also confirmed that Vernon had been placed on administrative leave.
The crash remains under investigation.
Duke Energy reports that some of their contractors who were working for them were involved in the incident.
"We are saddened about the tragic event that happened today, and our hearts go out to the families and teammates of those involved," they said in a partial statement.
A family member of one of the victims killed said a trash truck was involved in the crash that hit power crews, but that's unconfirmed by the North Carolina Highway Patrol and the Eden Police Department.
One of the victim's family members said, "He was a lineman who loved the job, everybody loved him, he was a great, great guy and brother."
Duke Energy released the following statement:
“We are saddened about the tragic event that happened today, and our hearts go out to the families and teammates of those involved. The safety of our employees, contractors and customers is the highest priority at Duke Energy. We are working closely with law enforcement officials."
Carolina Power & Signalization released the following statement on Friday:
"Yesterday, a Carolina Power crew working on an electric distribution project in North Carolina experienced a tragic event. A large truck, owned by the city of Eden, entered a work zone striking six employees, as well as a third-party inspector. This resulted in four fatalities (three Carolina Power employees and the contract inspector). The two additional Carolina Power employees remain hospitalized with life-threatening injuries. According to various news reports, the driver of the city truck was charged with running a stop sign and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. The North Carolina Highway Patrol is leading the investigation of the incident. Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims, colleagues, and family members impacted by this horrific event."
The North Carolina Governor’s Office released the following statement on Friday:
“Governor Stein and his wife Anna extend their deepest condolences to the four families who lost a loved one under such tragic circumstances. Keeping workers safe on roads is a shared responsibility, and we must do all that we can to promote road safety.”
Neville Hall, mayor of Eden, released a video statement about the incident.
“I come to you today, with a heavy heart to tell you about an incident that occurred in Eden today,” Hall said in part. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families of this terrible incident, and I would like to thank the first responders for the job that they did."
Rockingham County leaders released a joint statement:
"On behalf of the employees of Rockingham County and the Board of Commissioners, we extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the families of those who tragically lost their lives in Eden on Thursday. This devastating loss is one that touches not just their loved ones, but our entire community. To those who were injured, we send our sincerest wishes for strength and a full recovery. We would like to thank the first responders and others who assisted following the tragic accident. Our prayers are with each of those affected by this accident in the challenging days to come."
The city of Eden originally released the following statement after the incident:
"At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 24 the City of Eden Police and Fire Department responded to a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Church Street, Carroll Street and Park Road. Upon arrival, first responders discovered that a City of Eden motor vehicle was involved in an accident where fatalities occurred. The North Carolina State Patrol is investigating the accident. No further statements will be forthcoming at this time."
Emergency crews have not released any more details at this time.
However, workers were seen back at the scene on Friday morning surveying the damage.
11 p.m. Breaking News update: What we now know about the crash and victims.
6 p.m. Breaking News update: More about the victims after talking with family members.
5 p.m. Breaking News update: Victim's family member details his account of what occurred during the deadly crash incident.
4:30 p.m. Breaking News update: City of Eden vehicle involved in crash.
WXII 12's Joshua Davis has more from the scene.
4:15 p.m. Breaking News update:
Rockingham County Government reports injuries with crash in Eden.
4 p.m. Breaking News update:
Rockingham County Government reports injuries after crash in Rockingham Co.
3 p.m. Breaking News update:
Major crash incident reported in Eden, in Rockingham Co.
Extended Video of Scene
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