Brandon Scott Carpenter Obituary, Death: Garbage truck employee hit and killed by car in North Carolina
A tragic crash east of Lincolnton, North Carolina, claimed the life of a sanitation worker on Tuesday night, authorities confirmed. The incident occurred around 7:40 p.m. along the 2800 block of NC Highway 27 (East Main Street), near the junction with NC 150. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol reported that a 2014 Mack garbage truck had come to a stop in the westbound travel lane of NC 27. At the time of the crash, a worker was positioned at the rear of the truck, performing his duties. Without warning, a 2011 Toyota Camry heading westbound on the same highway failed to slow down and struck the worker from behind.
The victim was identified as 35-year-old Brandon Scott Carpenter, a resident of Dallas, North Carolina. Emergency medical teams quickly responded to the scene and transported Carpenter to a nearby hospital. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, Carpenter succumbed to his injuries and was later pronounced dead. The driver of the Toyota Camry, 35-year-old Danica Lashea Borders of Lincolnton, was unharmed in the crash. Following the incident, authorities charged Borders with misdemeanor death by vehicle and failure to reduce speed.
Investigation and Next Steps
Preliminary findings from the Highway Patrol’s investigation did not suggest that alcohol or drugs played a role in the accident. Officials noted that no other employees from the sanitation crew were harmed during the incident. Other workers were either inside the vehicle or positioned away from the immediate site of impact at the time of the collision. The North Carolina State Highway Patrol, along with local emergency responders and crash reconstruction specialists, worked together to document the scene and gather evidence. They inspected skid marks, vehicle damage, and other physical clues to determine the sequence of events and assess whether speed, distraction, or other factors contributed to the fatal crash.
Safety Concerns and Implications
Crashes involving roadside workers are a recurring safety concern across the country. Public safety campaigns regularly remind drivers to slow down and move over when they see flashing lights or work crews along the road. In many states, including North Carolina, laws require drivers to reduce speed and exercise caution around stopped service vehicles to help protect workers who are vulnerable while performing their jobs close to moving traffic. The charges filed against Borders reflect a violation of this basic safety expectation.
Community Response and Tributes
Brandon Carpenter was remembered by colleagues and community members as a hard-working, dedicated sanitation employee who took pride in his job. His sudden death has sent shockwaves through his workplace and the broader community. Local officials expressed condolences to his family and emphasized the importance of motorist caution when approaching stopped utility or sanitation vehicles. Tributes and messages of support have begun circulating on social media, and many in the Lincolnton and Dallas communities are calling for improved awareness and safety measures to protect workers like Carpenter.
Conclusion
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is expected to release further findings as their investigation progresses. For now, they urge all drivers to remain vigilant on the road, especially when encountering stopped vehicles or workers performing essential services along active roadways. This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the risks faced by sanitation workers and others who work on or near roadways every day. It highlights the need for continued education and enforcement of safety rules that can help prevent future tragedies like the one that claimed Brandon Scott Carpenter’s life.
