NC Trooper Dies in Single-Vehicle Crash

A North Carolina State Highway Patrol trooper died in a crash in Wayne County Friday night, officials said.

Sgt. Chris Knox with the NCSHP said Trooper Nolan Sanders, a five-year veteran, was driving north on Interstate 795 in Pikeville shortly after 7:15 p.m. when he drove off the right side of the road and hit a concrete ditch culvert. The crash happened near the U.S. 70 bypass, reports WNCN .

Knox said it isn't known why Sanders drove off the road. Officials said he was on duty at the time but wasn't responding to a call, reports WNCN .

Sanders, 28, leaves behind a wife and young child.

Knox said they’re already thinking of how they can honor Sanders while still following the statewide gathering restrictions, including no more than 50 people attending a funeral and social distancing requirements.