Driver hits two construction crew flaggers on highway, killing one, NC troopers say

UPDATE: The N.C. State Highway Patrol has charged Jerry Lee Johnson “with misdemeanor death by vehicle,” according to a case update. His first court appearance is on December 8.

The original story is below.

An 80-year-old driver struck two construction crew flaggers on a Catawba County highway, killing one man, according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

It happened around 3:35 p.m. Monday, June 26, in the Sherrills Ford area, about 36 miles northwest of Charlotte, officials said in a news release.

“A 2019 Chevrolet Equinox was traveling west on NC 150 and struck two construction crew flaggers that were in the roadway moving traffic cones,” the highway patrol said.

“Flagger Ryan Scott Tanner, 23, of Valdese, succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The second flagger was transported by Catawba County EMS to Catawba Valley Medical Center, in stable condition.”

Details of his injuries were not released.

The driver was identified as Jerry Lee Johnson of Sherrills Ford, officials said. He was not injured in the crash.

An investigation into the cause is underway. Alcohol was not a factor, officials said.

“The roadway was marked as a construction zone,” officials said. “A member of the flag crew, who was almost struck, was in the roadway with a stop sign and motioning traffic to move over.”

This story was originally published June 27, 2023 at 4:41 AM with the headline "Driver hits two construction crew flaggers on highway, killing one, NC troopers say."