Highway Patrol applicant dies in training

An applicant to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol died Wednesday after completing a 1.5-mile run that is part of the agency's screening process, authorities said.

Posted 10:38 p.m. Feb 22, 2012 — Updated 10:24 a.m. Feb 23, 2012

RALEIGH, N.C. — An applicant to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol died Wednesday after completing a 1.5-mile run that is part of the agency's screening process, authorities said.

Isiah Hardy Nixon, 22, of Wendell, collapsed at about 12:30 p.m. shortly after the run. Medical personnel and paramedics, who were on hand for the fitness test, tried to revive the him, but he was pronounced dead at WakeMed.

During the screening process, the Highway Patrol said Nixon did not show any outward signs of trouble.

"There was nothing unusual that would really show any type of signs or any types of clues. That's why it's such a sudden and tragic event," Highway Patrol spokesman Sgt. Jeff Gordon said.

Nixon, a 2008 graduate of East Wake High School, is survived by his wife and 1-year-old son. Family members said this was Nixon's second time applying to the Highway Patrol, and he was determined to make it.

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