parks
Deputy dies after being hit by tractor-trailer while shielding road crews on highway
By Hudson Steiner, Jordan Gartner at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· June 27, 2026
· 2 min read
BOLTON, N.C. (WECT/Gray News) - The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of one of its deputies, who lost his life in the line of duty this week. Deputy Damien Draper Bost, 30, died at an area hospital following a collision Thursday on U.S. 74. Officials confirmed that a roadway ...
Key takeaway Officials confirmed that a roadway striping crew was conducting paint operations in the right lane when a tractor-trailer being driven by David McPherson, 33, failed to reduce speed and struck Bost’s marked patrol vehicle from behind.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The tragic loss of Deputy Damien Draper Bost in a neighboring state resonates with Atlanta 's own concerns about road safety and the risks faced by law enforcement and road crews. As Atlanta continues to invest in infrastructure and transportation projects, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of protecting those who work to maintain and improve our roads. In Fulton County, where Atlanta is located, similar roadway striping and construction operations are commonplace, and the safety of crews is a top priority. The charges filed against the driver, including failure to reduce speed, highlight the need for motorists to exercise caution when approaching work zones. As the investigation into the crash continues, Atlanta residents may want to pay attention to any resulting recommendations or policy changes that could impact local road safety protocols and protections for law enforcement and road crews.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: June 27, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more The Atlanta stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering parks and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? BOLTON, N.C. (WECT/Gray News) - The Columbus County Sheriff’s Office is mourning the loss of one of its deputies, who lost his life in the line of duty this week. Deputy Damien Draper Bost, 30, died at an area hospital following a collision Thursday on U.S. 74. Officials confirmed that a roadway ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 27, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Hudson Steiner, Jordan Gartner at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More parks →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter