Trooper killed in Wake accident

A state Highway Patrol trooper was killed in an accident this afternoon on Ten-Ten Road after his patrol car collided with a garbage truck, the state Highway Patrol said.

Trooper Andrew J. Stocks, 43, was critically injured at the scene south of Garner and later died, Patrol spokesman Capt. Everett Clendenin said. According to the Patrol, Stocks' patrol car collided at an angle with the truck, with the point of impact on his driver's-side door.

Stocks joined the patrol in April 2004 after leaving the military, where he had served in Afghanistan as a Marine and in Iraq with the U.S. Army. Clendenin said Stocks' wife Liane was at WakeMed with senior members of the Highway Patrol.

Stocks is the 60th trooper to die in the line of duty since the formation of the Highway Patrol in 1929, according to the patrol. He grew up in Wake County, where he graduated from Cary High School in 1983, officials said. Stocks and his wife had one child.

The driver of the garbage truck suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene, Clendenin said, adding that the Patrol did not expect to file charges.

"We're dealing with a huge loss," Clendenin said.

State Highway Patrol Commander Col. Walter J. Wilson also spoke briefly with the media, praising Stocks' service.

"Today is a very sad day for the highway patrol," Wilson said.

The accident is still under investigation and details will be released later, the patrol said.

"It's a very hazardous job, but it's a very honorable profession," Wilson said.