Patrol car hits tractor
By Ethan Smith
Published in News on May 13, 2016 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Troopers load paperwork back into the car of Trooper Reggie Edwards late Thursday afternoon on an unopened stretch of U.S. 70 East Bypass after Edwards' car collided with a tractor being driven by Jimmy Reid. Trooper Edwards was responding to a call for a man with a gun on Hood Swamp Road. Both he and Reid were treated for their injuries and released within hours of the wreck.
A North Carolina Highway Patrol trooper's car collided with a tractor on an unopened stretch of the U.S. 70 East Bypass late Thursday afternoon while responding to a call of man brandishing a weapon.
Trooper Reggie Edwards was driving at a yet-to-be-released speed along the stretch of highway when he collided with a tractor being driven by Jimmy Reid, a contract worker for Barnhill Construction Co.
Both Edwards, a 26-year veteran of the Highway Patrol, and Reid sustained non-life threatening injuries, and were taken to Wayne Memorial Hospital for treatment and were released within several hours.
Edwards' patrol car was a total loss.
Another trooper was traveling behind Edwards when the crash happened, but was not involved in the wreck.
"Around 3:45 p.m. the Highway Patrol was responding to a man brandishing a weapon on Hood Swamp Road," said North Carolina Highway Patrol Public Information Officer Lt. Jeff Gordon. "They were using this highway in an attempt to get there quicker."
Gordon said Edwards' car collided with Reid's tractor at a head-on angle. The front end of Edwards' patrol vehicle slammed into the broom sweep attached to the front of the tractor, knocking the broom off the tractor and totally wrecking both vehicles.
"We don't have the speed he was traveling at yet but his emergency equipment was on, meaning his lights and sirens were activated," Gordon said.
Gordon said the Highway Patrol is investigating whether or not charges will be filed against Edwards for the crash, and looking into why the tractor was in the highway.
James Radford lives on Woodrose Drive, in a neighborhood that backs up against the uncompleted bypass. Radford said he heard the crash happen when he was outside.
"They (the Highway Patrol) use this road every day, and they go fast down this road," Radford said. "The accident was seen, but I won't say who seen it."
Eleven highway patrol cars responded to the scene.
Wayne County Sheriff's Office Maj. Tom Effler said he did not think deputies were responding to the call.
However, deputies had received at least three calls earlier yesterday about the same man. Deputies responded, but the man was not breaking any laws, and no charges were filed, Effler said.
North Carolina is an open-carry state and the man was carrying the weapon in the open, so nothing could be done, Effler said.
Effler said that deputies had recognized the man, who was cooperative.
Effler said it was his understanding that the final call had been dialed through the *HP (star HP) and that is why the troopers were responding.
Gordon could not be reached for comment prior to press time this morning.
The uncompleted stretch of the U.S. 70 Bypass is expected to open in early June.