A State Highway Patrol officer and a suspect are dead after being hit by another state trooper driving to the scene, according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol.
Trooper James Horton lost control of his car and crashed into a Highway Patrol car, killing his brother, Trooper John Horton and a suspect from a traffic stop, police said.
The crash happened in Rutherford County at about 9 p.m. Monday, according to a Highway Patrol news release.
Dusty Luke Beck, 26, of South Carolina, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the N.C. Department of Public Safety.
Gov. Roy Cooper expressed his sympathy for both families at unrelated presss conference.
"I particularly want to give deep condolences to the friends and family of State Highway Patrol Trooper John Horton and Mr. Dusty Luke Beck who were both killed in a tragic highway accident in Rutherford County last night," Cooper said.
“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,” Colonel Freddy L. Johnson Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol, said in a statement released Tuesday morning.
John Horton was taken to Spartanburg hospital and died of his injuries overnight, SHP said. His brother, James Horton, had minor injuries and has been released from the hospital.
The crash happened at the intersection of High Shoals Church Road and Goodes Grove Church Road, west of Shelby near the South Carolina state line, according to the Highway Patrol.
The North Carolina Bureau of Investigation is investigating the crash.
Support has been pouring in from all over the state since the announcement of Horton's death. Gadi Adelman, chairman and media relations for Back the Blue N.C., released a statement and asked for donations.
"It is with an extremely heavy heart that we have to once again ask for people's thoughts, prayers, and donations. Back the Blue NC will be there for the entire Horton family and the family of the North Carolina Highway Patrol," Adelman said.
A gofundme page has been set up for the family.
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