Rocky Mount, NC – Rocky Mount Police Officer Christopher Driver was killed in the line of duty on Saturday night, when his patrol vehicle collided with the back of a commercial vehicle parked in the driving lane.

The Rocky Mount Police Department was notified of the fatal collision on South Church Street at approximately 10:35 p.m. on June 23, and responded to the scene with officers from the Sharpsburg Police Department, WCTI reported.

They arrived to find that 27-year-old Officer Driver had succumbed to his injuries following the crash.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol Recon Unit responded to conduct the investigation and learned that the vehicle blocking traffic was a large bucket truck that was being towed into a tree service company lot when its brakes seized up, WRAL reported.

Timmy Dixon, 38, remained with the truck, which was blocking the traveling lane, State Highway Patrol First Sergeant Michael Baker told WRAL on Monday.

Officer Driver didn’t see the obstruction in the road until it was too late, investigators said.

Dixon was present at the time of the collision, but left the area after the crash and did not return, Sgt. Baker explained.

Neither Dixon nor 46-year-old Derrick Sheffield contacted 911 to summon help for the mortally-injured officer, the sergeant added.

Dixon was subsequently arrested for misdemeanor death by vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident.

Sheffield was arrested for misdemeanor death by vehicle and leaving a vehicle unattended/unsecured.

Officer Driver joined the Rocky Mount Police Department on Feb. 5, 2013, WCTI reported.

He is survived by his wife, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.

“The Rocky Mount Police Department is truly saddened by the loss of Officer Driver,” the agency said in a written statement, according to WRAL. “Our hearts and prayers go out to his family and friends. We ask everyone to please respect the privacy of Officer Driver’s family during this time of bereavement.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Rocky Mount Police Officer Christopher Driver, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.

Officer Christopher Driver, your life mattered.