(LibertySociety.com) – A tragic crash in Eden, North Carolina, left four utility workers dead and three injured when a dump truck ran a stop sign at an intersection.
At a Glance
- Four utility workers died after a dump truck hit them in Eden, NC.
- The driver, Michael Ray Vernon, faces misdemeanor charges.
- Incident occurred while workers were servicing power lines.
- An official investigation is underway to determine causes.
Eden, North Carolina: Collision Details
The devastating incident took place in Eden, North Carolina, where a city dump truck reportedly ignored a stop sign, leading to a crash with utility workers working at the intersection of Carroll Street and Church Street. Four Duke Energy and Carolina Power employees were pronounced dead at the scene. These workers were attending to power lines when the bucket truck they were using was also struck. The dump truck finally came to a halt in a nearby ditch.
Three other workers sustained injuries, with two being airlifted to a local hospital. One remains in critical condition, while the other is stable. The worker situated in the bucket truck suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is conducting an investigation into the cause of the crash, which occurred around 1:30 p.m. The truck driver, Michael Ray Vernon, aged 66, has been charged with a stop sign violation and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle.
Condolences and Community Impact
The incident resulted in significant grief, prompting numerous expressions of sympathy. Statements of condolence were issued by Eden Mayor Neville Hall, Duke Energy, and Carolina Power. “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,” Eden Mayor Neville Hall expressed. Duke Energy reiterated the importance of safety, stating it as their highest priority while working closely with law enforcement.
“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.” – Eden Mayor Neville Hall
The community has reacted strongly, with a memorial erected to honor the victims, identified as Douglas Garland Sides, Madison Carter, William Evans, and Matthew Lockwood. Various efforts, including a GoFundMe campaign, are underway to support the families affected by the loss. The City of Eden’s employees, meanwhile, continue to process this tragic event alongside an official National Transportation Safety Board safety investigation.
Four people were killed and two others were injured Thursday afternoon in a crash in Eden, North Carolina.
>>> https://t.co/w8EbeAUcnc pic.twitter.com/CLWn6TzuMP— CBS7 (@CBS7News) April 26, 2025
Search for Answers Continues
An investigation seeks to provide clarity and prevent similar tragedies in the future. Witnesses described the dump truck as moving swiftly without stopping. Preliminary reports suggest there was no impairment involved on the driver’s part. Meanwhile, Vernon is on administrative leave as legal proceedings and investigations continue. Local officials emphasize the importance of understanding the exact causes to uphold road safety.
“We are saddened by this tragic event, 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.” – Duke Energy
As Eden mourns, many reflect on the demanding and often hazardous nature of utility work and the sacrifices made by those involved. All parties involved are seeking answers and accountability to ensure that such a preventable event does not occur again.
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