NC State Trooper Loses Control of Car, Killing Fellow Trooper and Detained Driver

Rutherford County -- January 4, 2022: North Carolina Highway Patrol Trooper John Horton lost control of his vehicle

while responding to a call  assist with a traffic stop and collided with his brother's vehicle, according to North Carolina Highway Patrol.

Trooper John Horton was conducting a traffic stop around 9 p.m. Monday on High Shoals Church Road and Goodes
Grove Church Road in Mooresboro, NC. 
The crash killed both Trooper Horton, who had been a member of the force for fifteen years and was stationed in
Rutherford County, and the detained driver.

The following was posted on social media this morning by the Rutherford County Sheriff Office North Carolina 

State Highway Patrol Member Dies During Traffic Stop

RUTHERFORD COUNTY- A preliminary investigation has revealed that on Monday, January 3, at approximately  8:58 p.m.,
a member of the State Highway Patrol was struck by a responding Patrol member during a traffic stop at High Shoals
Church Rd. and Goodes Grove Church Rd. Trooper James N. Horton was responding to assist with a traffic stop being conducted by Trooper John S. Horton when Trooper James Horton lost control of his vehicle upon approaching the traffic stop.
Trooper James Horton collided with the stationary patrol vehicle and subsequently struck Trooper John Horton and the detained driver who were standing along the roadside.

Trooper John Horton, a fifteen-year veteran assigned to Rutherford County, was transported to a Spartanburg hospital
where he died of his injuries.
The detained driver, who has yet to be identified, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Trooper James Horton was taken to a local hospital for minor injuries and has since been released.
The two involved troopers are brothers.
"Our hearts are broken with the loss of our friend and our brother, Trooper John Horton” said Colonel Freddy L. Johnson Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol. “For all involved in this tragic event the coming days will undoubtedly be difficult, but we are committed to stand alongside with them with our thoughts, prayers and unwavering support.”
Further information regarding the ongoing investigation should be directed to the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Additionally, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol Collision Reconstruction Unit is assisting with the investigation.

Wnctimes by Marjorie Farrington