JOHNSTON COUNTY, N.C. — A heartbreaking tragedy has left a community in mourning and authorities searching for answers after 29-year-old James Rudzki, a dedicated utility worker, was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Wednesday evening.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Rudzki lost his life while performing his duties along Live Oak Church Road near Selma. Investigators say he was part of a utility crew working in the area when a flatbed truck traveling south failed to stop and struck low-hanging utility lines that had been temporarily stretched across the roadway for maintenance.
The sudden impact caused the wires to snap violently, fatally injuring Rudzki. Despite the chaos at the scene, troopers say the driver of the flatbed did not remain and continued traveling southbound, eventually heading toward Clayton around 5:30 p.m.
Emergency crews rushed to render aid, but tragically, Rudzki was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident has shaken fellow utility workers and community members who describe him as a hardworking young man devoted to his job and to keeping the public safe.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol has released images of the suspect vehicle, which they believe to be a flatbed-style truck possibly carrying equipment or materials at the time. Investigators are urging the public to carefully review the vehicle description and to report any sightings or leads that may assist in identifying the driver.
“This was a senseless and avoidable tragedy,” a trooper at the scene said. “Someone knows who was driving that truck. We’re asking for the public’s help in bringing closure to this family and accountability to whoever is responsible.”
Anyone with information about the driver or vehicle involved is urged to contact the Highway Patrol Communication Center at (919) 733-3861. Callers may remain anonymous.
As investigators continue to piece together the events leading up to this fatal accident, friends and colleagues of James Rudzki are remembering him as a kind, dependable, and dedicated worker who took pride in his service to the community.
Rudzki’s tragic death serves as a sobering reminder of the risks faced by those who work daily to maintain and repair vital infrastructure — often in hazardous roadside conditions.
Authorities remain determined to locate the driver responsible and bring justice to Rudzki’s family.
If you have seen a flatbed truck matching the vehicle description in the Selma or Clayton area around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, please contact law enforcement immediately.
