Dump truck driver without CDL dies in prison before conviction, sentencing for death of four utility workers

An improperly licensed dump truck driver has died in prison before being convicted or sentenced for a crash that killed four utility workers last spring. 

The April 24th, 2025 crash happened at the intersection of Carroll Street and Church Street in Eden, North Carolina. 

According to WFMY News2, 66-year-old dump truck driver, Michael Vernon, ran a stop sign in his dump truck and struck six linemen working on power lines. Four of the six died as a result of the crash.

Investigators later found that Vernon did not possess a valid CDL at the time of the crash. He was working for the City of Eden at the time and had a known medical condition. The city has since been fined $145,640 for allowing him to operate a dump truck without a proper license and permitting him to operate a commercial vehicle with a known medical condition. The medical condition has not been disclosed. 

Vernon was indicted on four counts of second-degree murder without regard and three counts of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. He was being held on a $1.6 million bond. 

Vernon died at Raleigh Central Prison at around 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 22nd. His family has been notified. His cause of death has not been released.