UPDATE: New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office deputy injured in crash
NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The North Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating a crash involving a New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office vehicle.
According to a spokesperson with the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, the crash happened just after midnight Monday morning near Monkey Junction.
The NC Highway Patrol says 52-year-old Paul Welch of Wilmington was traveling south on Carolina Beach Road, and turning left into the Handee Hugo’s shopping center.
Welch had a flashing yellow arrow.
31-year-old Deputy Andrew Payne was traveling north, and collided with Welch.
Welch’s SUV was pushed off the road, and the deputy’s charger came to a stop in the roadway and caught fire.
Both were transported to Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center.
Welch was cited for failing to yield at the right-of-way.
Payne was given a citation for exceeding the posted speed limit.
Both Payne and Welch were taken to the hospital with injuries, but are expected to recover.
The investigation is still on going.
