Douglas Garland Sides, Madison Carter, William Evans, and Matthew Lockwood Tragically Killed in Eden, North Carolina, Crash Involving City Dump Truck; Hunter Carter and Kevin Alexander Seriously Injured
In a devastating incident that has left the Eden community in shock, four individuals were killed and two others seriously injured when a City of Eden dump truck ran a stop sign and struck a group of utility workers on Thursday afternoon. The crash occurred at the intersection of Carroll Street, Church Street, and Park Road, around 1:23 p.m. local time.
The Incident
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Michael Ray Vernon, 66, of Eden, was operating the city-owned dump truck when he failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection. The truck then collided with six utility workers from Carolina Power and Signalization, who were conducting powerline maintenance for Duke Energy.
The impact was catastrophic. Four of the workers—Douglas Garland Sides, 72, of Summerfield; Madison Carter, 42, of Sandy Ridge; William Evans, 35, of Randleman; and Matthew Lockwood, 30, of Winston-Salem—were pronounced dead at the scene. Hunter Carter, 24, of Reidsville, and Kevin Alexander, 34, of Eden, sustained life-threatening injuries and were airlifted to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem. As of Thursday night, Alexander was listed in serious condition, while Carter was stable.
The dump truck continued moving after striking the workers, hitting an occupied bucket truck before veering off the road and coming to a stop in a ditch. Cody Rich, 31, of Reidsville, who was in the bucket of the truck, was transported to UNC Health Rockingham with injuries that were not life-threatening.
Emergency Response and Investigation
First responders arrived at the scene to find a chaotic and heart-wrenching scene of destruction, with mangled vehicles and debris scattered across the area. Emergency services were dispatched immediately, and several victims required airlifting due to the severity of their injuries.
The Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that four individuals were pronounced dead at the scene. Their identities have been released as officials work to notify next of kin. In addition to the fatalities, several others sustained injuries ranging from minor to critical.
Local, state, and federal agencies have launched a joint investigation into the cause of the crash. The North Carolina Highway Patrol is leading the effort, with support from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) due to the involvement of workers on duty. Authorities are examining several potential factors, including the mechanical condition of the dump truck, road conditions at the time, and the possibility of driver error or impairment. The dump truck driver, who survived the crash, is cooperating with investigators, according to law enforcement officials.
Community Reaction
The tragic event has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit Eden community. Residents have expressed their grief and support for the families of the victims. Local businesses and community organizations have come together to offer assistance and condolences.
Duke Energy, for whom the utility workers were contracted, released a statement expressing their sorrow over the incident. “We are saddened about the tragic event that happened today, 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,” the company said.
Ongoing Investigation
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash. Preliminary reports indicate that impairment was not a factor in the incident. However, the investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the exact cause of the crash.
As the community mourns the loss of four lives and prays for the recovery of the injured, officials are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. The families of the victims have requested privacy during this difficult time as they grieve their loved ones.
