Ronald Thomas Mayo, 44, of Smithfield was arrested Thursday at a home off US-70. He was charged with felony hit/run involving death and is being held at the Johnston County Detention Center.
Thursday night, the flatbed truck/trailer hauling the sewer cleaner truck was also found impounded. North Carolina State Highway Patrol confirmed to ABC11 that the vehicle was located on Highway 70 East in Smith around 10:30 p.m.
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The family that owns the truck told ABC11 Eyewitness News that another family member was driving the vehicle. In a statement, they said:
"Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of the Pike electric worker recently killed in the unfortunate accident. The driver of the vehicle was not even aware of their apparent involvement until recently. There is much incorrect information being shared and we look forward to a complete investigation of this unfortunate incident."
Mayo is due in court Friday at 2 p.m.
The accident happened Wednesday around 5:20 p.m. in Selma. According to NCSHP, repair technicians were working on power lines when the driver of a flatbed truck carrying a water tank disregarded a stop signal from traffic control personnel, who were halting traffic due to low-hanging wires.
Worker dies after driver knocks down power lines
The truck became entangled in one of the wires, causing a technician to fall to the ground. The worker, later identified as 29-year-old James P. Rudzki, of Wendell, did not survive. "
Pike Electric confirmed to ABC11 News that Rudzki was an employee of their company.
A spokesperson released this statement to ABC11 News: "The incident yesterday in Selma is a tragic loss and our hearts go out to the employee's family and loved ones, as well to our employees - especially the co-workers on site and emergency personnel who responded. We extend our deepest condolences to everyone touched by the incident and our investigation into the root cause of this incident has already begun. Our Corporate Chaplains are being made available to our employees to help them process and deal with the loss."