UPDATE: Suspect Arrested, Vehicle Seized In Fatal Johnston County Hit & Run
SELMA — A Johnston County man has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed a utility worker Wednesday evening near Selma.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol said Ronald Thomas Mayo, 44, of Creech’s Mill Road, Smithfield, was taken into custody without incident late Thursday night at a residence off U.S. 70 in Johnston County. He was charged with felony hit-and-run involving death and taken to the Johnston County Detention Center, where he is awaiting his first court appearance.
The arrest follows an investigation into the crash that happened around 5:20 p.m. Wednesday on Live Oak Church Road. Troopers said utility crews were installing new power lines when a flatbed truck ignored a stop signal and drove through the active work zone.
The truck became entangled in a low-hanging wire, causing James P. Rudzki, 29, of Wendell, to fall to the ground. Rudzki, a utility worker, suffered fatal injuries.
The driver did not stop and was last seen traveling south on Live Oak Church Road before turning onto Buffalo Road toward Clayton, investigators said.
Highway Patrol released photos of the suspected truck Thursday night, asking for the public’s help identifying the vehicle and its driver. Within hours, troopers located and impounded the flatbed truck and trailer hauling the sewer cleaner truck believed to be involved in the crash.
The family of the truck driver arrested overnight released the following statement: “Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of the Pike electric worker recently killed in the unfortunate accident. The driver of the vehicle was not even aware of their apparent involvement until recently. There is much incorrect information being shared and we look forward to a complete investigation of this unfortunate incident.”
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This story has been updated
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27 Comments
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Several Trucks fitting this description are being used just a mile away burying cable on buffalo rd. They use water on their direct bore equipment.
Exactly what I was thinking. Wish there was a little better description of the truck
What more of a description do you need?
The description was completely off. The truck involved was repeatedly called a flat bed truck. Not even close to a flat bed truck. It’s a tractor truck pulling a low boy trailer.
BINGO! The initial description was not even close.
Welcome to the growth of N.C. Killing ourselves everyday
Exactly. They look at the ‘mighty tax dollar’ and issue building permits.
Coming here to say the exact same thing.
That’s horrible. Such a tragic end to a young life.
It was such an awful site to come upon!!! People just don’t pay attention any more!! Hopefully the driver will turn himself in. Because everyone on live oak has cameras. It’s only a matter of time. Do the right thing turn your self in!! Give the family some sort of closure to your careless ness!!! You made it home safe that young man won’t! Lots of prayers for the other young man that is in the hospital again do to you careless ness
He may not have known he hit the wires a truck that size don’t feel it like a car or pickup would
they stop bars are clearly visible!!!!!! no excuse !!!!!!
He’s f***ed.
Driver of Truck that was Involved in Pike Electric Worker Death Arrested
Ronald Mayo was taken into custody last night by Highway Patrol. Family members advised that Mayo was not aware that he was involved in the incident until photos of the truck were released yesterday. He had planned to turn himself in this morning with an attorney but Troopers arrested him late last night.
According to reports, there was a low hanging line and the truck caught it while coming through the area and it resulted in Rudzki falling to his death.
There is no word if they had traffic control in the area while they were working on the lines and any alert of low hanging lines.
Troopers said utility crews were installing new power lines when a flatbed truck ignored a stop signal and drove through the active work zone.
The driver has been located. He needs to take responsibility for what he has done.
I’m sure he probably didn’t realize anyone was injured but I’m also sure he knows that he ran a stop sign for the workers. I’ve been dealing with them for weeks and you can’t miss them
i’m a truck driver and i knew as soon as i read this story he didn’t realize he hurt anyone, prob didn’t realize he hit anything (you don’t really feel it in a big truck).. because basically no driver driving a legal truck has any delusions of getting away unnoticed from a broad daylight accident with witnesses. it’s a terrible tragedy all around, prayers for everyone involved
So what part of driving the big truck made him skip right past the “be prepared to stop” and “stop” signs?
I call bull**** on the family’s statement.
First and foremost, my heart felt thoughts and prayers are with the families and the co-workers.
This was a preventable accident in many ways. I am a lineman for a telco; we are the lowest on the pole. I have had several near misses while working aloft in the past few years, including being struck by another vehicle two years ago. On 42 at Flowers, a pick truck drove through our work zone and flagger, grabbing the strand. He stopped just long enough to curse a coworker, who promptly defended himself (razor knife and 3lb hammer can change attitudes quickly). We called 911, no response whatsoever. Commuters will not like this (neither will the DOT), but complete road closures should be allowed. I have adopted the attitude of shut the road down and make folks turn around.
I am not buying that the drive did not know he hit the lines. They know when they hit them, which happens quite often. They know if they stop, they will be met with angry lineman and a bill. Also, there will be a ticket and possibly a workplace drug test. They choose to roll on, only caring about finishing the job they are doing. I do not believe the story of waiting until the morning to surrender after finding a lawyer. A young man was dead, a family was suffering, and self-preservation was the priority.
I agree with you on everything with a few exceptions. I don’t believe the gentlemen that caused the accident and death of a wonderful young man, knew he had gotten into the lines. I do believe that he was going to turn himself in the next day after contacting his attorney. I’m sure he didn’t sleep at all that night. Remember., if we were not present at the accident, then we can’t be sure what happened. If we were not riding with the guy in the truck , again we can’t say what happened. I know one thing for sure, that Our Father who art in Heaven received him with open arms. He is now waiting to greet his loved ones as their journey on earth will come to end. He isn’t worrying about anything now. Prayers for everyone involved. Such a tragedy for everyone.
Ron Mayo is probably the most honest and hard working person anyone could ever meet . if he said he didn’t know that he had as n accident then that’s what happened . If he had known he would have stopped.
Agree 100%
Multiple people who were driving in that area at the same time stated there there were no flag men or stop signs. The driver did not know he had hit anything as a drop line was caught on the rear of his trailer. Not at all what has been reported or what the Highway Patrol released before completing an investigation.
My question is…with all due resect to the lineman that died, why was he not wearing a harness that kept him from falling to his death? Anytime anyone is working at those heights, a lanyard and harness are required for their safety. I haven’t seen any reports as to if he was wearing proper PPE for his protection. This in no way make the accident his fault, but I’m just curious if there could have been preventative measures.
He was on the ground and slung into a power pool. I agree also with Mr mayo being a good honest hard working man. I don’t believe for a second he ignored any flag men or stop arm and didn’t know his truck caught a cable when he drove by. The truth will come out.