A routine drive past a Terrell home turned deadly Monday afternoon when a utility pole suddenly snapped and crashed down on a man along N.C. 150, according to state troopers. Authorities said the pole fell after passing vehicles hit a low-hanging cable that was stretched across the two-lane road, striking 35-year-old Darrenn Reeves Bradshaw from behind and killing him.
Troopers identified Bradshaw as the victim and said he was near the 7700 block of N.C. 150 in Terrell when the pole broke and hit him, according to a news release from Trooper Jake Macchia reported by the The Charlotte Observer. Bradshaw was pronounced dead at the scene.
The crash happened shortly before 2 p.m. Monday in the Sherrills Ford area, and investigators said multiple vehicles, including an 18-wheeler and an RV, struck the sagging line before the pole came down, WSOC reported. A car was also damaged, but its driver was not hurt, according to the station.
How investigators say the pole came down
Highway Patrol investigators said the chain reaction started when drivers hit a cable that had been hanging low across the westbound lanes of N.C. 150. Once that line was struck, the connected utility pole failed and toppled, landing on Bradshaw from behind as he was outside near his home. Reporting by The Charlotte Observer notes that an RV, a commercial vehicle and a car were among the vehicles involved as troopers worked to sort out the exact sequence of impacts.
Investigation and charges
Despite the tragic outcome, state troopers said prosecutors do not plan to file charges in the case, according to WSOC. Highway Patrol investigators remained on scene as utility crews moved in to clear fallen lines and equipment from the roadway.
Why N.C. 150 matters here
N.C. 150 is a major east-west corridor around Lake Norman, a stretch that drivers and local leaders know all too well for its heavy traffic and safety concerns. North Carolina Department of Transportation planning documents show long-range widening and safety projects slated for parts of N.C. 150, with the goal of easing congestion and improving safety along the corridor. Those upgrades have been on local wish lists for years.
Officials released only limited details as the investigation continued. Troopers said they had no additional information to share immediately and asked anyone with potentially helpful details to contact the Highway Patrol.
