Four killed, 3 injured after crash involving city vehicle, power crews

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol has charged a driver after a deadly crash in Rockingham County involving a city of Eden vehicle and power crews. Highway Patrol said in a news release that four people were killed, three victims were injured, and the driver who hit them was also injured in the crash Thursday afternoon in the area of Church Street in Eden.The driver of the Eden city dump truck was identified by Highway Patrol as Michael Ray Vernon, 66, of Eden. Investigators said Vernon ran a stop sign, hit six men working for Carolina Power and Signalization who were conducting powerline work. Four men died at the scene.Highway patrol said Vernon also hit a bucket truck before colliding with a ditch. One person in the bucket of the truck was injured. He was taken to a hospital for minor injuries.Two pedestrians were air-lifted to a hospital, Highway Patrol said. One of the survivors is in critical condition, the other is described as being stable. The victims were identified by state highway patrol as follows:Douglas Garland Sides, of Summerfield, 72Madison Carter, of Sandy Ridge, 42William Evans, of Randleman, 35 Matthew Lockwood, of Winston-Salem, 30According to Highway Patrol, Vernon suffered minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital.Vernon has been charged with a stop sign violation and misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. Impairment is not believed to be a factor, Highway Patrol said. The crash remains under investigation.Duke Energy reports that some of their contractors who were working for them were involved in 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," they said in a partial statement. A family member of one of the victims killed said a trash truck was involved in the crash that hit power crews, but that's unconfirmed by the North Carolina Highway Patrol and the Eden Police Department. Law enforcement said the intersection at Church Street and Carroll Street will be closed until further notice, but several other roads are also closed. Police said the following other roads are closed:Park Road, Stephens Street, Howell Street and Kellam Street.One of the victim's family members said, "He was a lineman who loved the job, everybody loved him, he was a great, great guy and brother." Duke Energy released the following statement:“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. We are working closely with law enforcement officials." Neville Hall, mayor of Eden, released a video statement about the incident.“I come to you today, with a heavy heart to tell you about an incident that occurred in Eden today,” Hall said in part. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families of this terrible incident, and I would like to thank the first responders for the job that they did." The city of Eden originally released the following statement after the incident: "At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 24 the City of Eden Police and Fire Department responded to a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Church Street, Carroll Street and Park Road. Upon arrival, first responders discovered that a City of Eden motor vehicle was involved in an accident where fatalities occurred. The North Carolina State Patrol is investigating the accident. No further statements will be forthcoming at this time." Emergency crews have not released any more details at this time. Extended Video of Scene