MONROE, N.C. -- A Union County Sheriff's deputy was killed in an accident involving a tractor-trailer and his patrol cruiser Wednesday morning in Monroe. The deceased officer has been identified as Sergeant Jeffrey Wayne Greene, 54.
The accident happened just after 7 a.m. on Highway 74 near South Sutherland Avenue in Monroe near Carolinas Medical Center - Union.
Investigators said the tractor-trailer rolled over onto the deputy's patrol car which was stopped in the turn lane.
The driver of the truck, Eddie Ray Weeks, has been charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle. Authorities say Weeks is being treated at the hospital, and will be taken to the Union County Jail upon his release.
Sgt. Greene had been with the Union County Sheriff's Office since 2004; he was promoted to sergeant in 2006. Greene is survived by his wife, two daughters and five grandchildren. He and his family attended church in Monroe.
Part of Highway 74 was blocked while the North Carolina Highway Patrol accident reconstruction team investigated the wreck. All lanes reopened to traffic about 10 minutes before 4.
The Union County Sheriff's Office released the following statement late Wednesday afternoon:
It is with a heavy heart that Sheriff Eddie Cathey announces the death of Sergeant Jeffrey Wayne Greene this morning. Sergeant Greene died from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle crash involving a tractor trailer truck at the intersection of Sutherland Avenue and U.S. Highway 74 just after 7:00 am this morning.Sheriff Cathey also wishes to gratefully acknowledge the Monroe Police Department, the Monroe Fire Department, Union EMS, the N.C. Highway Patrol, and the many local, state and federal law enforcement partners, elected officials and private citizens who have extended messages of condolence and concern to both the Greene family and to this agency. Any loss in the public safety community touches us all, and the expressions of care and support we have received today have affected us all very deeply. Funeral arrangements will be announced when they are complete, but Sheriff Cathey requests that everyone keep the Greene family in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
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