A lineman with Pike Electric was killed during a hit-and-run in Johnston County, officials told WRAL Thursday.
Just before 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, the State Highway Patrol said a flatbed truck carrying a water tank similar to a “septic tank” was traveling south on Live Oak Church Road and disregarded a stop signal given by traffic control personnel who were halting traffic due to low-hanging power lines.
Other WRAL Top Stories
Repair technicians were working on the power lines as the truck traveled through the scene and became entangled with one of the low-hanging wires. This caused one of the repair technicians, James P. Rudzki, 29, of Wendell, to fall to the ground, resulting in fatal injuries.
Another lineman was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.
The flatbed truck driver failed to remain at the scene and was last seen traveling south on Live Oak Church Road and turning onto Buffalo Road toward the town of Clayton.
A neighbor in the area said there's been ongoing work on the road for several days.
"They’ve had the flags and they’ve had people a lot of times," said Charles Dodge. "A lot of cones. Most anybody who’s been up and down this road over the past few weeks should have been prepared to slow down."
Pike said they're looking into the incident and extended consolences to Rudzki's family.
"Our hearts go out to the employee's family and loved ones, as well to our employees - especially the co-workers on site and emergency personnel who responded," a statement from Pike read.
Anyone with information truck or its driver is urged to contact investigators State Highway Patrol investigators at 919-934-2186.