Truck driver with frost-covered windows runs over, kills man in parking lot, NC cops say

A box truck driver didn’t take the time to defrost his windows before running over and killing a man in a parking lot, North Carolina police said.

Gerard Lyons, a 28-year-old from Greensboro, died at the scene the morning of Dec. 13, according to the High Point Police Department. Andrew Rodgers, 27, was charged with felony hit-and-run and careless and reckless driving, police said.

“This is a tragic reminder of why it’s important to defrost your windows and make sure they are cleared off before you start driving,” police said in a news release. “You don’t want anything obstructing your view.”

At about 5 a.m., Rodgers was driving his box truck through a warehouse parking lot when he ran over Lyons, who was walking through the lot at the time, according to police.

But investigators said that rather than calling 911 right away, Rodgers parked the truck and moved his personal vehicle to a different part of the lot before calling for help.

According to High Point police, the truck’s windshield was “covered in frost.”

“We know it’s cold out, but it’s worth the extra few minutes to ensure your safety and the safety of other people,” police said.

Rodgers, also of Greensboro, was arrested and booked on a $10,000 bond.

High Point is about a 90-mile drive northwest from Raleigh.

This story was originally published December 13, 2024 at 4:45 PM with the headline "Truck driver with frost-covered windows runs over, kills man in parking lot, NC cops say."