UPDATE 5:20PM – Clayton Police have identified the victim as Dustin Haywood Rogister of High Chaparral Drive in Clayton. He would have turned 23-year-old tomorrow. It appears he died from a single stab wound to the chest, but official autopsy results are not back yet. Police are actively following leads and conducting interviews on this homicide and hope to make an arrest. Detectives believe the victim knew the suspect, but at this time, it’s unclear what led up to the fatal wound.
CLAYTON – A car accident turned into a homicide scene Thursday night after Clayton Police discovered a car accident victim had suffered wounds inconsistent with a car wreck.
It happened just before 8 p.m. on Shotwell Road off Highway 70 in Clayton. A car heading north on Shotwell Road careened across the travel lanes and into a power pole, splitting the pole in half and bringing down live power lines.
Duke Energy quickly shut off the power so Clayton Fire and emergency responders could help the man out. But once they were safely able to approach the victim, they discovers he had died and had injuries not consistent with the accident. Homicide detectives from Clayton Police were immediately called in.
The investigation was put on hold until Duke Energy crews could remove the power pole and wires from on top of the car. About 30 businesses and homes were left without power. Duke Energy had power restored by 1 o’clock this morning.
Police did not release the victims name but said he was a white male in his 20s.
Clayton Police ask that anyone who saw anything suspicious around 7:50pm Thursday near the La Cocina restaurant parking lot or along Shotwell Road, call 911 and ask to speak to Clayton Police.
Photos by John Payne
