Columbus County deputy dies after tractor-trailer crash on U.S. 74/76

BOLTON, N.C. (WECT) - A Columbus County sheriff’s deputy died Thursday morning when a tractor-trailer hit his patrol vehicle in a highway work zone on U.S. 74/76.

Sheriff Bill Rogers said during a press conference that Deputy Damien Draper Bost, 30, was parked in the median with emergency lights activated to warn drivers about a repaving project in the westbound lanes near the Hallsboro Road exit. The tractor-trailer crashed into the cruiser from behind at around 10:40 a.m. June 25, Rogers said.

The N.C. Department of Transportation said a subcontractor crew was working in the area when the crash happened. The crew, hired by S.T. Wooten of Wilson, was using a truck-mounted attenuator and a pavement-marking vehicle to place permanent lane markings.

NCDOT said the subcontractor employees suffered minor injuries. The State Highway Patrol is investigating.

Rogers said Bost served with the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office for eight years and is survived by his wife and two children.

“He was all the time joking, happy,” said Rogers. “A family man. A great kid to be around, he enjoyed life.”

David Samuel McPherson, 33, was charged Thursday with misdemeanor death by vehicle, reckless driving and failure to reduce speed in connection with the crash, according to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.