BOLTON, NORTH CAROLINA — A Columbus County Sheriff's Office deputy who was shielding a road striping crew on US-74 Thursday morning was killed when a tractor-trailer failed to slow down and slammed into his marked patrol vehicle from behind, then struck a bumper truck ahead of it, crossed the median, and caught fire.

Deputy Damien Draper Bost, 30, of Nakina, was transported to Columbus Regional Healthcare System, where he was pronounced deceased. He served with the Columbus County Sheriff's Office for eight years and is survived by his wife and two children.

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What Happened

At approximately 10:40 to 10:51 a.m. on June 25, Deputy Bost was parked in the median on westbound US-74 near the Hallsboro Road exit with his emergency lights activated, protecting a subcontractor crew hired by S.T. Wooten of Wilson that was conducting paint operations and placing permanent lane markings in the right lane.

David Samuel McPherson, 33, of Clarkton, was driving a tractor-trailer westbound when he failed to reduce speed and struck Bost's patrol vehicle from behind. The semi then struck a bumper truck ahead of the patrol car, injuring its 24-year-old operator, who was transported to a hospital. McPherson's tractor-trailer then crossed the median and caught fire. McPherson was not injured.

Charges

McPherson was arrested Thursday and charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle, reckless driving, and failure to reduce speed. He was issued a $100,000 secured bond and is due in court on August 3.

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Remembering Deputy Bost

Columbus County Sheriff Bill Rogers remembered Bost as a joyful, devoted family man. "He was all the time joking, happy. A family man. A great kid to be around, he enjoyed life," Rogers said.

Bost's best friend, Clyde Prince, said the two spoke nearly every day. "He was just a loving father, he was a great friend, he loved his wife, he loved what he did, and he was a great family man," Prince said.

A memorial fund has been established through the Police Benevolent Foundation to support Deputy Bost's wife and two children. All proceeds go directly to the family and donations can be made here. 

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol Collision Reconstruction Unit is assisting with the ongoing investigation.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Interviews courtesy of local media.

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