A North Carolina State Highway Patrol master trooper was killed just after midnight Sunday when his patrol vehicle left NC Highway 130 in Robeson County and overturned into swampy terrain, authorities said. Master Trooper Stien Davis Jr. was on duty at the time of the crash.
The Patrol said the wreck happened shortly after midnight on Sunday. Davis was assigned to Troop B, District 7 and was a member of the 141st Basic Patrol School. Colonel Freddy Johnson Jr. said the agency will share additional details about the collision and any celebration-of-life plans as they become available, according to WPDE.
My heart goes out this morning to the family of Master Trooper Stien Davis, the NC State Highway Patrol, and the entire law enforcement community mourning the loss of a son, a friend, and a colleague. I’ve offered Colonel Johnson any support the Patrol may need during this difficult time. https://x.com/i/status/2025592183034650964
— Governor Josh Stein (@NC_Governor) February 22, 2026
Governor and agency responses
Governor Josh Stein publicly addressed the loss on X, writing, "My heart goes out this morning to the family of Master Trooper Stien Davis," and saying he had offered "any support the Patrol may need" to Colonel Johnson, in a post by Governor Josh Stein. The message highlighted the statewide attention on the death of an on-duty officer and the Patrol's commitment to update the public.
Crash under investigation; local roads were hazardous
The State Highway Patrol said specifics related to the cause of the collision remain under investigation and that there were no immediate conclusions, according to WPDE. Over the same weekend, Robeson County saw heavy snowfall, with local officials reporting up to a foot in some areas and warning that interstates and primary roads were "covered with snow/ice," according to The Robesonian. The Patrol said it will release further information, including celebration-of-life arrangements, as investigators move forward.
