Columbus County Deputy dies in line of duty following vehicle crash, Clarkton man charged in connection

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Columbus County sheriff’s deputy was killed in a motor vehicle collision Thursday morning.

33-year-old Deputy Damien Draper Bost was the deputy killed.

The sheriff’s office announced the death on Thursday, describing it as a heartbreaking loss for the agency and the community it serves.

According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, 33-year-old David McPherson of Clarkton has been arrested in connection with the crash.

McPherson has been charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle, reckless driving to endanger, and failure to reduce speed. He is being held under a $100,000 secured bond.

The Highway Patrol states that around 10:45 a.m., McPherson was driving an 18-wheeler when he struck Bost’s patrol vehicle from behind.

Bost was slowly driving in the median, protecting a construction crew painting lines along US 74-76, when he was hit.

McPherson’s tractor-trailer also hit the painting truck and then caught on fire.

During a press conference held Thursday evening, Sheriff Bill Rogers described Deputy Bost as well-respected by his colleagues and by the staff at Old Dock Elementary, where Bost served as a school resource officer.

“It’s a calling to be in law enforcement to start with,” Rogers said. “But then working with kids at the school and getting that rapport, try to keep the kids on the right track, he was very good. Like I said, his principal, some school staff showed up at the hospital for him. That’s how well he was thought of at the school.”

Friends and fellow deputies are remembering Bost not only for his service, but also for his personality.

Mitchell Martin, who said he had known Bost for about 15 years, described him as someone who could always make people laugh.

“Draper was honestly one of the nicest guys for as long as I could remember,” Martin said. “He was also really funny. There would always be this wrestling match at the end of the night when we would get done, and it was just always comedy all the time around him. He was always joking about something.”

Outside the Columbus County Sheriff’s Office, a wreath honoring Bost has been placed at the agency’s law enforcement memorial, and flags have been lowered to half-staff.

Martin said seeing the wreath has been especially difficult.

“I just don’t really have words, man,” Martin said. “He should still be alive right now, honestly.”

A law enforcement escort is scheduled to accompany Bost’s body from Raleigh to Columbus County on Friday.

Meanwhile, westbound lanes of U.S. 74-76 from N.C. Highway 214 to beyond Hallsboro Road remained closed Thursday evening as crews worked to repair damage caused by the crash.

The Police Benevolent Foundation has established a memorial fund to support Bost’s wife and family.