A dump truck driver crossed a high signal and hit a crew of public service workers in North Carolina, killing four men and hurting three others, authorities said.
The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon in the city of Eden, since the men worked in electric lines in the area, according to the road patrol of the North Carolina state.
The authorities say that a dump truck hit and killed multiple public service workers in Eden, North Carolina, on April 24, 2025.
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The driver of a dump truck of the city of Eden supposedly did not stop at a high signal and traveled through an intersection before hitting six of the workers, according to the state road patrol. Then, the vehicle hit an occupied cube truck before finishing in a ditch, the agency said.
Four workers were declared dead on the scene. Two were transferred by plane to a hospital in the area, with one in a critical condition and the other in serious but stable condition, according to the state road patrol. The worker who was in the bucket truck at the time of the incident suffered injuries that do not threaten life.
The city’s landfill truck driver Michael Ray Vernon, 66, from EDEN, was transported to a local hospital with minor wounds, said the state road patrol. He has been accused of a sign of sign and death for minor crime for the motor vehicle, authorities said. Police said they don’t believe it was affected.
Officials of the city of Eden said that the state patrol of the state of North Carolina is investigating.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families of this terrible incident, and I would like to thank the first to respond for the work they did,” said Eden Neville Hall mayor in a video statement.
The city will not publish any additional comments at this time, Hall said.
The authorities say that a dump truck hit and killed multiple public service workers in Eden, North Carolina, on April 24, 2025.
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Men were Duke Energy contractors, the company said.
“This tragic event saddens us, and our hearts are with the families and teammates of those involved,” Duke Energy said in a statement. “The safety of our employees, contractors and customers is the highest priority in Duke Energy. We are working closely with the officials responsible for enforcing the law.”
The four men killed in the incident were identified by the State Road Patrol as the sides of Douglas Garland, of Summerfield, 72; Madison Carter, by Sandy Ridge, 42; William Evans, by Randleman, 35; and Matthew Lockwood, by Winston-Salem, 30.
Three of the murdered men and the three wounded were employees of Carolina Power and Signalization, the company said.
“Our hearts and prayers are with the victims, colleagues and family members affected by this horrible event,” Carolina Power said in a statement on Friday.
Sides was a contract inspector who worked for Victory Powerline Services.
“Doug tragically lost his life yesterday while doing the work that his entire career has loved,” said Victory Powerline Services in a statement on Friday. “His passion for this industry felt in victory, where he could give his experience to the next generation.”
The collision remains under investigation.
