EDEN, NC – A driver of a trash truck ran a stop sign, causing a crash that killed four pedestrians and injured two other pedestrians and one bucket truck driver last Thursday.
The collision happened before 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of Carroll Street and Church Street along Smith River, WDBJ7 reports. Six pedestrians, Carolina Power and Signalization crews, were working on power lines when they were struck by the trash truck driver. After the trash truck ran over the workers, he then slammed into an occupied bucket truck. The driver of the bucket truck lost control of their vehicle and crashed into a ditch.
EMS and medical helicopter personnel were quick to arrive at the scene. Two of the pedestrians were airlifted to a hospital, and the bucket truck operator was transported by ground to a medical facility. The truck driver is recovering from non-life-threatening injuries, and the surviving pedestrians from life-threatening injuries.
The deceased victims have since been identified as 30-year-old Matthew Lockwood from Winston Salem, 32-year-old Madison Carter from Sandy Ridge, 35-year-old William Evans from Randleman, and 72-year-old Douglas Garland Sides.
The trash truck driver was identified as 66-year-old Michael Ray Vernon, an Eden local. He was also sent to a hospital and is recovering from minor injuries.
Vernon has since been charged with a “stop sign violation and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.”
Police do not suspect Vernon was intoxicated while operating his truck, and they are continuing to investigate all the details behind the wreck.
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