VETERAN STATE TROOPER KILLED IN HAYWOOD COUNTY CRASH

RALEIGH -- Trooper Calvin E. Taylor, 41, of the Highway Patrol's Troop G - District 5 office in Clyde, was killed this afternoon when he was struck by a tractor-trailer truck. Taylor was a native of Canton and joined the Patrol in 1981 after serving as a Haywood County Deputy Sheriff. His mother, Annie W. Taylor of Canton, and a sister, Patricia R. Taylor of Franklin, survive him. Trooper Taylor is the 53rd trooper killed in the line of duty since the Highway Patrol was established in 1929.

The crash happened just before 1:30 p.m. today along the west travel lanes of I-40 in Haywood County. Trooper Taylor's patrol car was one of three vehicles on the right shoulder of the road near milepost 26. A tractor-trailer ran off the travel portion of the highway striking the three cars and over-running two of them. Trooper Taylor and an as yet unnamed motorist were killed. Two persons also injured in the crash were transported to Haywood Regional Medical Center.

The investigation is ongoing. As yet no charges have been filed. Highway Patrol commander Colonel Richard W. Holden has dispatched an accident reconstruction team from the Patrol's Raleigh Headquarters.

Governor Mike Easley was notified of the incident and expressed his sympathy for the trooper's family and others killed and injured in the crash.

Secretary of Crime Control and Public Safety Bryan E. Beatty issued this statement: "Incidents like this remind us of what a dangerous profession law enforcement is. I ask all North Carolinians to say a prayer tonight on behalf of all our law enforcement families."

"The Patrol family has lost a member and the state of North Carolina has lost a dedicated public servant," said Colonel Holden.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time, but the media will be notified when details are available.

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