Update
The State Highway Patrol has identified the driver involved in Sunday’s collision on US 70 near La Grange. The driver involved is
Dylan Thomas Smith, 22, of La Grange
. Mr. Smith will be charged with
Failing to Slow or Change Lanes for an Authorized Emergency Vehicle on a Multi-Lane Roadway
, also referred to as the “Move Over” law. The violation is a misdemeanor for causing personal injury or property damage greater than $500.
The Trooper R. C. Riley, a six-year veteran assigned to the Kinston Highway Patrol office, has been released from Wayne Memorial Hospital.
Trooper’s Vehicle Struck in Lenoir County While Investigating Collision on US 70
RALEIGH
– At approximately 7:45 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, a Lenoir County trooper was struck while sitting inside his vehicle as he investigated an earlier collision.
The six-year veteran trooper had just completed investigating an earlier motor vehicle collision on US 70 west near La Grange and had positioned his patrol vehicle with all emergency equipment activated in one lane of US 70 westbound as a wrecker was attempting to safely remove the earlier wrecked vehicle.
A passenger vehicle, driven by male believed to be in his early twenties, was traveling west on US 70 when it approached from the rear and failed to move over. The passenger vehicle struck the trooper’s vehicle in the rear as he sat behind the wheel.
The trooper was transported to Wayne Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. It is unclear at this time if the driver of the passenger vehicle was injured. However, investigators are continuing their investigation and charges are pending.
Since 1999, more than 164 U.S. law enforcement officers have been struck and killed by vehicles along America’s highways. Originally enacted in 2002, the ‘Move Over’ law directs motorists to change lanes or slow down when passing a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights on the roadside. In the fall of 2012, the law was revised to include “public service” vehicles. Public services vehicles are described as any vehicle that is being used to assist motorists or law enforcement officers with wrecked or disabled vehicles, or is a vehicle being used to install, maintain, or restore utility service, including electric, cable, telephone, communications, and gas. These vehicles must display amber light.
In part, the law states:
Motorists who are driving on a four-lane highway are required to move their vehicle into a lane that is not the lane nearest the parked or standing authorized emergency vehicle or public service vehicle and continue traveling in that lane until safely clear of the authorized emergency vehicle.
Motorists who are traveling on a two-lane highway are required to slow their vehicle, maintaining a safe speed for traffic conditions, and operate the vehicle at a reduced speed and be prepared to stop until completely past the authorized emergency vehicle or public service vehicle.
The penalty for violating the law is a $250 fine plus court costs. Motorists can face misdemeanor charges for causing personal injury or property damage greater than $500 and felony charges for severe injury or death in the immediate area of a stopped emergency vehicle or public service vehicle.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety have been working to educate motorists about the ‘Move Over’ law since its inception. Surprisingly, one study has revealed that over 71 % of the motoring public across the US are unaware of this law.
Throughout the state, numerous signs are erected stating ‘Move Over or Reduce Speed for Stopped Emergency Vehicles’. The signs are installed along interstate and U.S. routes to educate and warn motorists but more importantly, save lives. The Highway Patrol is reminding all motorists to change lanes or slow down when passing a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights as they traveling on North Carolina highways.
For more information on the ‘Move Over’ law, please contact Public Information Officer, Lieutenant Jeff Gordon at (919)733-5027 or Jeff.Gordon@ncdps.gov.