SALISBURY, NC — Troopers are investigating after a Rowan County deputy fatally hit a man while driving his patrol car Tuesday night.
The accident happened just after 10pm near the intersection of Foxfire Drive and Rowan Mill Road. According to officials, Deputy James Corriher was driving east on Rowan Mill when he said he felt some type of impact on his patrol car. He got out to investigate, officials say, and found 31-year-old Jose Rodriguez lying on the side of the road.
Deputy Corriher called 911 and immediately started giving aid until medic could arrive, according to reports. Rodriguez was pronounced dead on the scene, and Corriher was taken to Novant Medical for evaluation.
Officials say Deputy Corriher has only been with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office a brief time, and previously served just over one and a half years with China Grove Police Department. Corriher was leaving a firearms qualification training coarse at the time of the accident.
Deputies say Corriher’s patrol car had damage to the front passenger side and passenger side mirror. The NC State Highway Patrol is the lead investigating agency, and say the investigation into the incident is still ongoing.
