The State Patrol has released details of the incident that killed a DOT worker early this morning in Deep Gap. The accident happened just after 4:30 this morning on Old US 421 just past the Brown Farm Road intersection while 55-year old DOT employee David Cook was cutting up a tree downed by overnight rains. While at the tree, he was struck by the truck of Robert Schaffer, which crossed over the felled tree, then struck Cook, then the DOT truck. First responding units reporting Cook with a severe head injury and CPR in progress, but it was soon evident he was dead of his injuries.  So far, Robert Schaffer, 50, of Cornerstone Lane, Deep Gap, has not been charged, trooper Townsend saying that his report would be taken before the District Attorney to determine whether charges will be filed.  Townsend estimated that Schaffer’s Toyota pickup was traveling 40 at the time of the crash, and that it was raining—factors that might have contributed to the crash.

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