A city dump truck driver who allegedly ran a stop sign in Eden, North Carolina, has been charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle after a tragic crash that claimed the lives of four utility workers and left three others injured.
At a Glance
- A City of Eden dump truck driven by 66-year-old Michael Ray Vernon allegedly ran a stop sign and struck utility workers servicing power lines
- Four workers died at the scene: Douglas Garland Sides, Madison Carter, William Evans, and Matthew Lockwood
- Two workers were airlifted to a hospital, one in critical condition and another stable; a third worker in a bucket truck sustained non-life-threatening injuries
- Vernon has been charged with a stop sign violation and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle
- The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a safety investigation to prevent similar future incidents
Deadly Collision Claims Four Lives at Work Site
The fatal incident occurred Thursday around 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of Carroll Street and Church Street in Eden, where utility workers were servicing power lines. According to investigators, the city dump truck, driven by 66-year-old Michael Ray Vernon, struck six workers and a bucket truck before coming to rest in a ditch. Four workers died at the scene, while three others sustained injuries ranging from critical to non-life-threatening. Vernon, who works for the City of Eden, suffered minor injuries and has been placed on administrative leave following the incident.
Witnesses reported the dump truck was traveling at high speed and failed to stop at a stop sign before striking the utility workers. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the crash, with the National Transportation Safety Board also conducting a safety investigation.
Authorities stated that impairment is not suspected to be a factor in the crash. Vernon faces charges of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and a stop sign violation.
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
Victims Identified as Contractors Working for Duke Energy
The four workers who lost their lives have been identified as Douglas Garland Sides, Madison Carter, William Evans, and Matthew Lockwood. Three of the deceased were employees of Carolina Power and Signalization, while Sides was a contract inspector for Victory Powerline Services. The injured workers included two who were airlifted to a hospital, with one in critical condition and another in stable condition. A third worker who was in the bucket truck at the time of the crash sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
“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.”, said Eden Mayor Neville HallÂ
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Matthew Lockwood’s family. The tragedy has deeply affected the Eden community and the employers of the victims, who have all expressed their condolences. The community has set up a memorial at the site of the crash, and officials continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident to determine exactly what happened and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Companies Express Grief and Commitment to Safety
Both Duke Energy and Carolina Power and Signalization have issued statements expressing their sorrow over the tragic event. Duke Energy emphasized that safety is their highest priority, while Carolina Power provided details about the incident and offered support to the families of the victims. The companies are cooperating with law enforcement officials as the investigation continues.
The NTSB’s investigation aims to identify potential safety issues and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Governor Josh Stein’s office has also issued a statement extending condolences to the families affected and emphasizing the importance of road safety, especially for workers who perform essential services. The City of Eden has declined to conduct interviews while the State Highway Patrol’s investigation remains ongoing.
