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New details released in death of Rocky Mount police officer

Two people have been arrested in connection with the weekend death of a Rocky Mount police officer who was killed during a Saturday night traffic crash, authorities said Monday.

Posted Updated

By
Mikaya Thurmond
and
Bryan Mims, WRAL anchor/reporters
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — Two people have been arrested in connection with the weekend death of a Rocky Mount police officer who was killed during a Saturday night traffic crash, authorities said Monday.

Derrick Sheffield, 46, and Timmy Dixon, 38, were arrested after Officer Christopher Driver's southbound car collided with a bucket truck that had broken down in the road shortly after 10:30 p.m. at 4112 South Church Street, the N.C. State Highway Patrol said.

Sheffield was charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle and leaving a vehicle unattended/unsecure while Dixon was also charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident.

Derrick Sheffield

Both men have posted bond and been released from jail.

At least 30 law enforcement officers participated Monday in a processional to transport Driver's body to the funeral home.

Police officer dies in Rocky Mount crash

Authorities said Driver was on duty and was in his city-issued patrol car when the crash happened.

Officials said the Hall's Tree Service bucket truck was being towed to the lot when its brakes stopped working and was no longer able to be pulled.

WRAL News has learned that the tree service company was no longer in business and the bucket truck was being towed illegally under the cover of night. Once it stopped, the driver left the truck in the roadway to get help.

Authorities said Officer Driver was responding to that scene when the crash happened.

Deputies said the officer was speeding and didn't see the truck until it was too late.

Although a neighbor, who did not want to be identified, told WRAL News on Sunday that the bucket truck was left unattended, its emergency flashers were said to be on when the crash happened.

Troopers investigating the incident, however, said that the truck was never left unattended, First Sgt. Michael Baker told WRAL News Monday.

Baker said Dixon was at the scene when the collision occurred but left the scene and never returned.

Neither Dixon or Sheffield called 911, Baker said.

Sheffield bought the truck but was towing it illegally, according to investigators.

Police said the bucket truck had the "Hall's Tree Service" name on it and the crash site is across from an abandoned lot with "Hall's Tree Service" trucks.

Phil Hall is the former owner of the tree service company.

He told WRAL News on Monday that the officer's death is a tragedy and he is praying for the officer's family.

"I was a little shaken. I mean, it was very nerve wracking," neighbor Melanie Thomas said of the crash.

Driver, 27, was hired by the Rocky Mount Police Department on Feb. 5, 2013. He was promoted to the rank of Senior Police Officer on August 26, 2017.

"The Rocky Mount Police Department is truly saddened by the loss of Officer Driver," the police department said in a written statement. "Our hearts and prayers go out to his family and friends. We ask everyone to please respect the privacy of Officer Driver’s family during this time of bereavement."

A make-shift memorial was set up outside the Rocky Mount police headquarters in tribute to Driver.

Funeral arrangements for the officer were pending.

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