One Killed, One Injured In Collision Involving Iredell Sheriff's Deputy

On February 22, authorities identified a man who died of the personal injuries he suffered the day before when his SUV was struck by an Iredell County sheriff’s deputy as a 40-year-old father of three from Statesville.

According to the North Carolina Highway Patrol, David Wayne Cox, an independent contractor, was killed when a patrol car driven by Sgt. Tim Byrd struck the side of his Chevrolet Blazer.

Authorities say that Byrd was northbound on N.C. 115 at approximately 6:30 p.m. when he saw a motorcycle driving south at a high rate of speed. He turned his lights and siren on before making a U-turn to pull the biker over.

Byrd accelerated to catch up with the motorcycle as Cox was approaching N.C. 115 on Weston Road. Cox was heading straight to cross N.C. 115. His family said that he was returning from giving an appraisal for a new deck.

Highway Patrol First Sgt. T.E. Baity, the trooper investigating the crash, said that Cox pulled out in front of Byrd as he approached. The cruiser struck the Blazer on the driver side door. Cox was pronounced dead at the scene.

Byrd received air transport to Carolinas Medical Center, where he was listed in fair condition as of February 22.

Investigators are attempted to determine Byrd’s rate of speed at the time of the collision and the exact speed of the motorcycle was not available as of February 22. The speed limit in the area is 45 mph.

According to Baity, the wreck is not the result of a police pursuit because Byrd had not yet caught up with the biker or attempted to stop him.