Lenoir trooper injured in crash
By John Joyce
Published in News on June 29, 2015 1:46 PM
A trooper with the N.C. State Highway Patrol assigned to the Kinston office in Lenoir County is recovering today after he was struck by a motorist on U.S. Highway 70 West.
The accident took place near LaGrange at about 7:45 p.m.
According to a press release, Trooper R.C. Riley is a six-year veteran of the Highway Patrol who was investigating a crash. He was "struck while sitting inside his vehicle as he investigated an earlier wreck," the release said.
State Highway Patrol public information officer Lt. Jeff Gordon said Riley suffered a minor injury.
"He suffered a complaint of injury and was treated and released," Gordon said.
The male driver of the passenger vehicle that struck the trooper -- identified as Dylan Thomas Smith, 22, of LaGrange -- could face charges, according to the Highway Patrol. At the time of the release, it remained unclear if the driver sustained any injuries.
"I'm not sure of any injuries to Mr. Smith. We have not charged (Smith) yet, but charges are likely forthcoming," Gordon said.
A reconstruction team has conducted an investigation at the scene of the accident. The remaining portion of the investigation could take as many as four to six weeks, Gordon said.
Accidents such as this are often attributed to drivers not knowing the law, Gordon said.
According to the press release, 164 law enforcement officers have been killed on U.S. highways since 1999, prompting legislators to enact the "Move Over," law in 2002. The law requires motorists to move into a lane "that is not the lane nearest the parked or standing authorized emergency vehicle," the press release said.
In 2012, the law was beefed up to include public service vehicles as well as emergency vehicles. But according to a study conducted by the N.C. Departments of Transportation and Public Safety, more than 71 percent of U.S. drivers are unaware of the law.
Fines for violating the law begin at $250. In cases that result in injury or death, penalties can include fines beginning at $500, as well as misdemeanor or felony charges.