A FATAL TRAFFIC COLLISION INVOLVING TWO BROTHERS, BOTH NC STATE TROOPERS

NC state trooper accidentally kills his brother, also a trooper, at traffic stop 

 

By Jorge Fitz-Gibbon

 

New York Post

January 4, 2022

 

 

The two Horton brothers, John (top) and James (bottom), are pictured together

 

A North Carolina state trooper was killed during a traffic stop when his own brother — a fellow trooper — lost control of his cruiser and smashed into him Monday.

Highway Patrol Trooper John Horton was standing on the shoulder of a road in Mooresboro along with the driver he had just pulled over around 9 p.m. when both were hit by his brother’s oncoming police car, Fox affiliate WHNS-TV reported Tuesday.

Horton’s brother, Trooper James Horton, was responding to the scene to assist his sibling when he lost control of his car and hit the pair, who both died, the outlet said.

The driver who had been pulled over was identified as Dusty Luke Beck, 26. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

John Horton was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.\

North Carolina Highway Patrol trooper John Horton was fatally struck when his brother lost control of his cruiser during a traffic stop

Trooper John Horton of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol pictured with his wife Ashley and their six children

 

“Our hearts are broken with the loss of our friend and or brother, Trooper John Horton,” highway Patrol Cmdr. Freddy Johnson said in a statement, according to WHNS.

“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.”

John Horton was a 15-year veteran of the department, the station reported.

“We mourn the loss of two people tragically killed in a crash in Rutherford County last night, including State Highway Patrol Trooper John Horton,” North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper wrote on Twitter on Tuesday.

“We are deeply grateful for his service to the people of North Carolina,” he said.

No charges have been filed in the incident, which is being investigated by the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and the highway patrol Collision Reconstruction Unit, WHNS reported.