The crash happened Tuesday on Ten Ten Rd. in Garner.
Highway Patrol officials say Trooper Andrew Stocks was running his emergency lights when he crashed into a garbage truck, but they don't know how fast he was going.
Stocks was driving his patrol car and lost control, according to investigators.
After entering a curve on Ten Ten in southern Wake Count, the cruiser slid sideways and across the center line.
A garbage truck was traveling in the opposite direction and could not avoid the collision. Trooper Stocks slammed into the front bumper of the truck on the driver's side of the cruiser.
"The driver of the trash truck tried to avoid the collision," NCSHP spokesperson Capt. Everett Clendenin said. "He saw what was taking place and took an effort, made an effort to avoid the collision, but was unable to. There are no charges going to be filed against him."
Clendenin said investigators haven't yet determined the exact speed of the patrol car because skid marks aren't as clear as on a wet roadway.
Despite some eyewitness accounts, however, investigators don't believe Stock was driving at high speeds while responding to an earlier wreck.
"We don't know the exact speed but we're fairly confident in saying we don't think it was a high, excessive speed," Capt. Clendenin said.
For members of the Highway Patrol and Stocks' family and friends, Wednesday is a day of mourning.
The 43-year-old trooper has not only served his state as a patrolman, but his nation.
Stocks had fought for the Marines in Afghanistan and the Army Reserve in Iraq.
He had returned from his Iraq tour exactly one year ago when he died Tuesday. His parents' neighbors in Cary say they will never forget his kindness.
"He has helped us in many ways of just being a good person, serving our country and then now he was serving our community and protecting us," family friend Vicky Emerson said.
Stocks also served his hometown community of Cary as a paramedic. He leaves behind his wife and 9-year-old daughter who live in Garner. A memorial fund has been set up in Trooper Stock's honor.
It is requested that in lieu of sending flowers to the family, donate to a charity of your choice or to the memorial fund established at the State Employees Credit Union.
Visitation and funeral arrangements for Trooper Stocks are as follows:
Visitation will be held 4-8 p.m. Friday, September 12 at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 southeast Maynard Road, Cary.
Funeral Services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, September 13, at Colonial Baptist Church, 6051 Tryon Road, Cary.
