HARNETT COUNTY – The State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash involving a Harnett County deputy sheriff. Two people were killed and the deputy seriously injured in the collision Friday around 2:00pm.
The accident occurred at the intersection of Highway 210 and Ray Road in western Harnett County.
A passenger in the pickup died at the scene. The driver reportedly died while en route to the hospital.
The deputy was rushed by EMS to Womack Army Hospital at Fort Bragg. At last report the deputy was in serious but stable condition.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation. Unconfirmed reports indicate the deputy was traveling on Highway 210 towards Lillington and met a speeding car. The deputy turned around and activated his lights and siren and was attempting to catch up to the speeder when the patrol SUV collided with a black Ram pickup truck crossing Highway 210 on Ray Road. The deputy’s SUV struck the passenger’s door of the pickup. The truck then collided with a utility pole. The SUV came to rest in front of the truck.
The State Highway Patrol’s Accident Reconstruction Unit responded to the scene to assist Harnett County troopers with the collision investigation.
(With information from the Dunn Daily Record)
Always thought it was huge unnecessary risk for cop to pull a uturn and fly down road to write a minor ticket
Lights and siren only request right of way.
Prayers for all !
I watched SHP on a motorcycle almost hit a car head on in the wrong lane the other day because he wanted to write a ticket so bad. It’s not worth it.
“Qualified Immunity” ensures that the family will never receive closure.
Obviously you have no idea what “Qualified Immunity” entails. You should educate yourself on the subject before you make ignorant comments.
@MakeJOCORedAgain: You’re joking, right? Have you even read the Harlow v. Fitzgerald ruling? It says, quite clearly, that unless you can show a prior judicial decision that involves exactly the same context and conduct, officers are shielded from all liability. Essentially, unless the same officer previously killed people in a police chase in the same location at the same speed (a virtual impossibility), the officer will go free. You should read more.
Your statement is not correct. Qualified Immunity only applies if the officer did not violate a clearly established law when performing the action of his/her duties. NCGS 20-145 states that an officer can operate emergency equipment and exceed the speed limit while operating such equipment. “This exemption shall not, however, protect the driver of any such vehicles from the consequence of a reckless disregard of the safety of others.” This means that this officer will not be protected by Qualified Immunity given that he/she operated his/her vehicle without due regard for the safety of others. You, sir or ma’am (whatever your preferred gender is today) should read more.
i don’t have enough fingers and toes to count the number of times i have witnessed people not stopping when they hear sirens or see lights…..basic fundamentals of driving…..if you hear a siren, slow down to a stop until you locate it and get out of the way….tragic mistake…..the speeder that caused this should be brought up on charges…..STOP BREAKING THE LAW PEOPLE!!!!!
With the speed that officer was obviously going he was obviously completely out of control and that poor couple probably didn’t even hear him coming
I hope this officer is arrested and charged with 2 counts of capital murder for senselessly killing these innocent people!! He was obviously not in control of his patrol car and doesn’t deserve to have a life after taking 2.