Tag Archive for: #statehighwaypatrol

TownTalk: Highway Patrol Members Serving Local Area Earn Promotions

/by

– Information courtesy of the N.C. State Highway Patrol

Three members of the N.C. State Highway Patrol serving Vance County are among 115 sworn officers recognized with promotions during 2025 during a recent ceremony in Cary.

Sgts. B.M. Black and S.E. Fuller were promoted to the rank of First Sergeant; Trooper J.K. Legan was promoted to the rank of sergeant, according to to information from the N.C. State Highway Patrol.

In addition to the troopers, 15 civilian members who work with the SHP earned promotions.

The ceremony began with an invocation provided by Pastor Steve Stadtmiller and the singing of the national anthem by Trp. Joshua Geter.  Remarks for the ceremony were provided by First Lady of North Carolina, Anna Stein, and Col. Freddy L. Johnson, Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol.

Johnson said, “Today marks the culmination of hard work and a dedication to our life saving mission by both sworn and civilian members of our State Highway Patrol. These members are a large part of why our state is considered a leader on so many levels; their work as ambassadors to residents and visitors of our state is invaluable in our continued efforts to provide the very best in law enforcement services.”

The promoted members were administered their oath of office by the Hon. Judge Terrence W. Boyle of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.  Lt. Col. Jason Deardorff provided remarks to those receiving civilian promotions, recognizing their esteemed service to our state. The event concluded with a benediction given by Patrol Chaplain Matthew Cornett.

The attached spreadsheet reflects the new ranks of those receiving a promotion.  Photographs from the ceremony will be made available on the Patrol’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NCHighwayPatrol.

Click Play!

Charges Filed In Head-On Collision That Claimed Lives Of 2 Teens

/by

A Henderson woman has been charged in connection with a head-on collision that took the lives of two Vance County High School students last month, according to the Highway Patrol.

Jessica Johnson Burke was charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, driving left of center and driving with no operator’s license, according to an accident report filed by Trooper C.J. Oxendine. The accident occurred on the morning of Oct. 29 on Rock Mill Road, just south of the intersection with Vicksboro Road. Speed was not a factor in the crash, according to the accident report.

The report narrative states that a 2009 Hyundai driven by Miasia Coles of Henderson was traveling south on SR 1519 (Rock Mill Road) and crossed the center line into northbound traffic. Burke was driving a 2011 Nissan north on Rock Mill Road and crossed the center line into southbound traffic, which caused Coles to swerve back into the southbound lane and collide with Burke’s vehicle.

Coles and her brother, a passenger in the car, were killed in the accident. Burke and her two children who were passengers in the car, were all taken to Duke University Hospital with injuries.

Burke has a court date of Feb. 11, 2022.

State Highway Patrol

Labor Day Weekend Marks the Launch of Highway Patrol’s Impaired Driving Initiative

/by

100.1 FM ~ 1450 AM ~ WIZS, Your Community Voice ~ Click to LISTEN LOCAL

-Press Release, North Carolina Department of Public Safety

As Labor Day fast approaches, increased congestion across the state is expected as motorists travel to their intended vacation destinations. With this in mind, the State Highway Patrol is stressing the importance of sober driving throughout the holiday weekend.

Combining forces with the Governor’s Highway Safety Program and more than 500 law enforcement organizations statewide, the SHP is participating in the GHSP’s Booze It & Lose It campaign. Troopers throughout the two-week initiative will focus on multiple motor vehicle violations such as excessive speeding, aggressive driving and driving while distracted. A special emphasis will also be placed on removing impaired motorists, attempting to prevent needless collisions from occurring.

“Removing impaired drivers before they harm themselves or someone else is among our highest priorities throughout the holiday weekend,” said Colonel Glenn McNeill, Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol. “Ensuring safe travel is a shared responsibility among both law enforcement and those who travel across our great state.”

Last year, the SHP responded to more than 1,351 collisions throughout the Labor Day weekend. Among those collisions, 402 resulted in an injury and 12 resulted in one or more fatalities. Ninety-four collisions within the same time frame occurred due to impairment of either alcohol or drugs.

Motorists can assist in reducing needless collisions by following the provided suggestions:

  • Plan ahead by ensuring a designated driver has been selected.
  • Use a ride-sharing service if no designated driver is available.
  • Prepare for delays by choosing alternate routes.
  • Monitor speed limits and avoid driving distracted.
  • Increase following distances.

The Booze It & Lose It campaign began Monday, August 31 and will conclude on Sunday, September 13, 2020.

State Highway Patrol

State Highway Patrol Focused On Collision Reduction This Christmas

/by

100.1 FM / 1450 AM WIZS; Local News broadcasts M-F 8am, 12pm, 5pm

-Press Release, NC Department of Public Safety

In anticipation of the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s holidays, the State Highway Patrol is putting safe driving at the top of its Christmas wish list.

According to AAA, more than 112 million travelers are expected to leave home throughout the holiday period to spend time with family and friends. With this in mind, troopers across the state are focusing on driver behavior in an attempt to ensure everyone arrives safely to their intended destination.

Last year, troopers responded to 3,102 collisions between the dates of Dec. 24 through Jan. 2. Among those collisions, 716 were injury-related and 19 resulted in a fatality. This year, SHP hopes to decrease the number of collisions during the same time frame by focusing on violations such as excessive speeding, reckless driving, following too close and impaired driving.

“The Christmas season is a time to be shared with family and friends,” said Colonel Glenn McNeill Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol. “Our priority is to reduce needless collisions before they occur in hopes of reporting zero lives lost throughout this holiday season.”

With the increase of distracted driving on the rise across the nation, the Patrol is also taking a proactive approach in reducing distracted driving collisions with the release of a Christmas PSA entitled Two Choices, Your Decision.

While there are several different types of distractions that affect safe driving, the PSA focuses on the dangers associated with texting while driving. The PSA can be obtained by visiting the SHP Facebook page or viewing this YouTube link https://youtu.be/-0S1yDxIOgA.

State Highway Patrol Concludes ‘Operation Drive To Live’

/by

-Press Release, North Carolina Dept. of Public Safety

The State Highway Patrol has concluded a week-long campaign held annually each year to combat fatal collisions involving teen drivers. During the week of April 8 through April 12, troopers participated in Operation Drive to Live, placing emphasis on education and enforcement across the state.

Troopers were out in full force monitoring driver behavior in and around school zones while offering educational programs to local high schools. The operation is conducted in proximity to spring break and prom season, in hopes teen drivers will gain an understanding of the dangers associated with driving.

In 2018, the Highway Patrol investigated over 55,261 motor vehicle collisions involving drivers and passengers who were between the ages of 15 – 19. Of those collisions, 10,287 injuries were reported and 94 resulted in one or more fatalities.

This year, SHP performed 179 traffic safety presentations and patrolled 540 school zones throughout the week. The following statistics also reflect the efforts of SHP during the campaign.

Speeding 3,973
License Violations 1,248
Seatbelt Violations 1,180
Child Seat Violations 127
DWI Under 21 34
Warnings 1,535

While the operation has concluded, the efforts of reducing teenage driver collisions will continue throughout the year.

For stats related to a specific county, please contact your local SHP office. A contact list can be obtained by visiting the following link: https://www.ncdps.gov/our-organization/law-enforcement/state-highway-patrol/troop-offices

 

State Highway Patrol Announces ‘Operation Stop Arm’

/by

-Press Release, North Carolina Department of Public Safety

While many schools across the state have been in operation for more than two months, the State Highway Patrol is taking proactive steps to ensure school bus safety is not overlooked.

Beginning Monday, October 15, troopers statewide will participate in Operation Stop Arm, a week-long event held each year.  Objectives of the campaign include an increase in educational programs and enforcement in and around school zones.  Throughout the week, troopers will ride on school buses and use unmarked vehicles to monitor bus routes to and from school.

“Every child should be afforded a safe means of travel as they attend their respective educational institution”, said Colonel Glenn McNeill Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol.  “While this operation is scheduled to conclude on Friday, our efforts will continue throughout the school year.”

In partnership with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University, a PSA has been produced to raise public awareness regarding school bus safety.  The message can be located by visiting the SHP’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/122457348546/posts/10156132596588547/

Highway Patrol Requesting Public’s Assistance in Vance Co. Hit-And-Run

/by

-Information courtesy Michael D. Baker, First Sergeant, North Carolina State Highway Patrol

On Saturday, August 25, 2018, at approximately 2:50 p.m., the State Highway Patrol was called to investigate a two-vehicle collision on NC 39 near Gillburg Rd in Vance County. A 2016 Harley Davidson motorcycle, operated by Jacob Aaron Elliott, 32, of Henderson, was traveling south NC 39. As Mr. Elliott slowed to make a left turn, he was struck from behind by a white SUV.

As a result of the collision, both Mr. Elliott and his passenger, Hunter Elliott, 6, of Henderson, were ejected from the motorcycle. Both were transported to Duke Hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries.

The driver of the SUV fled the scene after the collision. Authorities are looking for a white 2007-2011 Honda CRV and the driver in question. The SUV sustained damage to the right front quarter panel as a result of the crash. Photos of the vehicle were captured by surveillance video at a nearby convenience store.

Anyone with information and/or tips is encouraged to contact the State Highway Patrol at 1-800-662-7956.

At the request of Henderson-Vance Crime Stoppers, WIZS News is adding the following information to First Sergeant Baker’s original news release: “Contact Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or use the phone app P3tips. All information remains anonymous. If an arrest is made from your tip, you may be eligible for free money ranging from $50 to $2000. The amount given will be requested by the officer in charge and passed by the Crime stoppers board.”