Breaking News UPDATE: Eden City Worker Charged After Dump Truck Collision Kills Four Utility Crew Members

Eden, North Carolina — April 30, 2025 — According to ABC 11, a 66-year-old Eden man is facing multiple charges following a devastating work zone collision in Rockingham County that left four utility workers dead and two others injured.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Michael Ray Vernon was operating a city-owned dump truck on April 24 when he failed to stop at a posted stop sign along Carroll Road. Investigators say he continued through the intersection and struck six utility workers performing powerline maintenance nearby.

Vernon also reportedly hit a bucket truck occupied by another crew member before veering off the roadway and crashing into a ditch.

Four of the six pedestrians were pronounced dead at the scene. The remaining two suffered injuries, and the individual in the bucket truck also required emergency attention.

Vernon was formally charged with four counts of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle, failure to stop at a stop sign, and operating a commercial vehicle without a valid commercial driver’s license. He was released on a $50,000 unsecured bond and is expected to appear in court on July 3, 2025.

Following the incident and investigation, the City of Eden issued a statement announcing immediate personnel changes. Michael Ray Vernon has been terminated from employment, along with Public Works Operations Superintendent Elmer “Dusty” Curry. In addition, Operations Manager Darren Gatewood has opted for retirement. The city confirmed its full cooperation with the National Transportation Safety Board and other ongoing investigations.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the community, raising serious questions about safety procedures, driver qualifications, and oversight in municipal operations.

Our thoughts are with the friends, family, and loved ones of the deceased.

The Ramsay Law Firm has attorneys who are Board Certified in Workers’ Compensation claims to help individuals with severe injuries and death claims.

A Voice For The Injured. Here Every Step of The Way. Call 704-376-1616 or contact us online.

Notes: Our team created this post using secondary sources and has not independently verified all the facts surrounding the accident. If you find any incorrect details, please contact the Ramsay Law Firm so we can update the post with the most accurate information. This post will be removed if requested.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice and is not a solicitation for business. The photograph used in this post is not representative of this accident. If you are injured in an accident, seek medical attention immediately, then speak to a North Carolina personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.