Sherrills Ford – On Monday, June 26, at approximately 3:35 p.m., the NC State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision in Catawba County on NC 150 near Vinewood Road. A 2019 Chevrolet Equinox was traveling west on NC 150 and struck two construction crew flaggers that were in the roadway moving traffic cones.
Flagger, Ryan Scott Tanner, 23, of Valdese, succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The second flagger was transported by Catawba County EMS to an area hospital and is listed in stable condition.
The driver of the Equinox, Jerry Lee Johnson, 80, of Sherrills Ford, was not injured.
Alcohol was not a contributing factor. Charges are pending upon completion of the ongoing investigation and consultation with the Catawba County District Attorney’s Office. The roadway was marked as a construction zone. A member of the flag crew, who was almost struck, was in the roadway with a stop sign and motioning traffic to move over. During the on-scene investigation, the roadway was closed in the area for two hours.