A city-owned dump truck crashed into a group of utility workers in Eden, North Carolina, on Thursday, April 24, killing four people and injuring three others after the driver allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash, which occurred around 1:30 p.m. local time when 66-year-old Michael Ray Vernon was driving a city-owned dump truck in the area of Carroll Street at Church Street in Eden.
Vernon is accused of traveling past a stop sign and through an intersection before his truck hit six people who were conducting power line work for Carolina Power and Signalization. The vehicle then collided with a bucket truck, which had a person inside, drove off the road and landed in a ditch.
Four workers died at the scene: 72-year-old Douglas Garland Sides, 32-year-old Madison Carter, 35-year-old William Evans, and 30-year-old Matthew Lockwood.
Two other people, identified as 24-year-old Hunter Carter and 34-year-old Kevin Alexander, were airlifted to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem with life-threatening injuries. A 31-year-old man, Cody Rich, who was in the bucket truck, was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Vernon has been charged with a stop sign violation and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. State Highway Patrol troopers said they don’t believe impairment was a factor in the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board has opened an investigation into the incident, which occurred at the intersection of Carroll Street, Church Street, and Park Road.
Carolina Power & Signalization announced in a statement on Friday that the accident claimed the lives of their workers, noting that the men were fathers, sons, husbands, and friends who committed their lives to serving others and helping keep the lights on.
The company’s president expressed that this heartbreaking event showed how fragile life is and encouraged people to hold their loved ones closer. He added that they would get through this tragedy together as a family, not just as coworkers, which is what their brothers would have wanted.
The victims were contractors working for Duke Energy. Sides was specifically identified as a contract inspector who worked for Victory Powerline Services.
Duke Energy released a statement saying they were saddened by the tragic event and that their hearts go out to the families and teammates of those involved. The company emphasized that the safety of their employees, contractors, and customers is their highest priority, and they are working closely with law enforcement officials during the investigation.
Eden Mayor Neville Hall shared a video statement on Facebook saying the city’s thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. He also thanked the first responders for their work at the scene.
The North Carolina governor’s office also responded to the accident. “Governor [Josh] 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,” the statement read.
Friends and family have begun sharing memories of the victims. Matthew Lockwood’s friend Robert Russell told Fox affiliate WGHP that “That was the first time I’ve hit my knees when I heard some news. That was my little brother.”
Russell described Lockwood as someone who made people feel fulfilled when they were with him. Lockwood served in the Marines and had tours in Iraq before becoming a lineman for Carolina Power in 2018.
Russell shared that Lockwood loved his work as a lineman and would get called out during bad storms. He described how hard the utility crews worked and emphasized the importance of cherishing time with loved ones. Russell encouraged others to take trips with friends they’ve talked about and enjoy moments together because no one knows when those opportunities might end.
Russell has since launched a GoFundMe campaign for Lockwood’s family. He also expressed that he knows Lockwood is “dining with the Lord right now,” and he’s very proud of that.
Rynae Lockwood, Matthew’s sister, said her brother would want to be remembered as someone who did many things with his life. She reflected that he truly lived and made sure to live his life to the fullest.
The accident highlights the dangers faced by utility workers who perform essential services in communities. Carolina Power and Signalization described their fallen workers as dedicated professionals who remained committed to helping keep power flowing even during difficult circumstances.
The collision investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not released additional details about potential factors that may have contributed to Vernon allegedly failing to stop at the stop sign.
