Wake County sheriff’s deputy hurt while helping stranded motorists

A Wake County sheriff’s deputy helping a pair of stranded motorists was struck in the arm by a passing car Wednesday, the sheriff’s office reported.

Deputy Travis Carroll was stopped in the emergency lane on Interstate 87 near Smithfield Road around 1:30 a.m. when a passing car clipped him with its rear-view mirror, spokesman Eric Curry said in a news release.

The passing car, described as a dark SUV, did not stop and appeared to take the South Smithfield Road exit. The N.C. Highway Patrol will investigate.

Carroll was treated at WakeMed and released.

“We are relieved to hear that Deputy Carroll is expected to make a full recovery,” Sheriff Gerald Baker. said. “This incident should remind motorists to be familiar with the state’s ‘Move Over’ law designed to protect law enforcement stopped while executing their duties alongside our highways.”

The 2002 law requires motorists to move over one lane and slow down as best they can to give law enforcement officers space on the sides of roads.

This story was originally published September 30, 2020 at 1:05 PM.