By Crash News Writer 
Harnett County, NC (November 8, 2026) – A former Durham Police Department corporal has been fired following a fatal two-vehicle collision in Harnett County that killed a longtime pastor and injured several church van passengers. According to authorities, the October 18 accident occurred when the off-duty officer allegedly ran a red light and struck a church van at an intersection.
The collision happened at North Carolina Highway 210 and Old Stage Road. Investigators reported that Joseph King, 52, was driving a Honda passenger car when he entered the intersection against a red traffic signal and collided with the van.
Deputies with the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office responded to the accident and discovered the church van overturned off the roadway. Multiple occupants were trapped inside the damaged vehicle, requiring emergency assistance to remove them.
Authorities confirmed that Apostle Justin Heath, 67, a longtime pastor and former Wayne County Sheriff’s Office deputy, died in the collision. A Harnett County EMS supervisor confirmed the fatality following the crash.
Several other people inside the church van sustained injuries of varying severity. Emergency responders removed the injured passengers from the vehicle and transported them to WakeMed for medical treatment.
Officials have not released a complete list of the injured passengers or provided updated information about their medical conditions. The available report also does not specify how many occupants remained hospitalized following the accident.
On October 19, the day after the collision, King was charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. The charge followed investigators’ findings that he allegedly failed to obey the traffic signal before striking the church van.
King was serving as a corporal with the Durham Police Department at the time of the accident. According to Police Chief Stephanie Mardis, he had worked for the department since July 2010 and was assigned to the Uniform Patrol Bureau.
Following the collision, Chief Mardis released a statement expressing condolences to Pastor Heath’s family and friends, along with those injured in the accident. She also confirmed that the North Carolina State Highway Patrol was leading the crash investigation while the Durham Police Department conducted a separate internal review.
The department subsequently terminated King’s employment on Wednesday, November 4. The termination came after he was charged in connection with the fatal collision.
Chief Mardis previously stated that Durham police officers are expected to meet high standards of conduct and that violations of the law or public trust would be addressed under department policies and applicable law.
The collision has affected a church community mourning the death of a longtime religious leader. Heath was known for his work as a pastor and his previous service with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol remains responsible for investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have not released additional findings explaining whether other factors contributed to the collision.
King’s criminal charge remains an allegation unless and until it is established through the legal process. His termination from the Durham Police Department is a separate employment action and does not, by itself, determine criminal guilt or civil liability.
Understanding Your Rights After a Fatal Church Van Accident in Harnett County
Accidents involving passenger vans can result in serious injuries because several people may be traveling in the same vehicle. When a van overturns following a collision, occupants may face additional risks from the rollover, including head injuries, broken bones, spinal injuries, and other medical conditions requiring emergency treatment.
When investigators determine that a driver failed to obey a traffic signal, that finding may become important when evaluating legal responsibility. However, the outcome of a criminal case does not automatically determine whether an injured person can recover compensation through a civil claim.
Under car accident laws in North Carolina, people injured because of another person’s negligence may have grounds to pursue compensation. Surviving family members may also have grounds to pursue a wrongful death action when the legal requirements are satisfied.
Anyone searching for a car accident near me or a car accident near Harnett County should understand that North Carolina has specific negligence rules that can affect the outcome of personal injury claims.
An official car accident report may provide information about the vehicles’ movements, the traffic signals, the collision location, and the investigating officers’ findings.
In this case, authorities reported that King allegedly ran a red light before striking the church van. The State Highway Patrol is leading the investigation, and the criminal proceedings have not established a final determination of guilt.
What Happens When a Driver Runs a Red Light and Causes a Fatal Crash?
North Carolina General Statutes § 20-158 establishes rules governing traffic control signals and signs. Drivers approaching a steady red signal generally must stop as required by the statute and remain stopped until movement is permitted, subject to applicable exceptions.
Failing to obey a traffic signal can create dangerous conditions for motorists traveling through an intersection with the right-of-way. A collision may occur before either driver has enough time or distance to avoid the impact.
When a traffic signal violation contributes to an accident, the violation may become relevant to a negligence claim. However, investigators and courts must still consider the available evidence and applicable legal standards.
In the Harnett County collision, authorities reported that King entered the intersection against a red light and struck a church van. The impact caused the van to overturn, leaving multiple occupants trapped inside.
Investigators may review traffic signal operation, vehicle damage, roadway evidence, and witness statements to determine the sequence of events.
A criminal charge for misdemeanor death by motor vehicle does not automatically establish liability in a separate civil case. Criminal and civil proceedings have different purposes and standards of proof.
North Carolina General Statutes § 20-141.4 addresses misdemeanor death by vehicle and other offenses involving deaths caused by motor vehicle operation. The specific elements of an offense must be established through the criminal legal process.
Can Injured Church Van Passengers File Personal Injury Claims?
Passengers injured in motor vehicle accidents may have grounds to pursue compensation when another person’s negligence causes their injuries.
Unlike drivers, passengers generally do not control a vehicle’s speed, steering, or compliance with traffic laws. This distinction can become important when evaluating whether an injured passenger contributed to a collision.
In the Harnett County accident, several church van passengers were transported to WakeMed after emergency responders removed them from the overturned vehicle.
The extent of their injuries has not been fully disclosed. Depending on the circumstances, injured passengers may require additional treatment, rehabilitation, or time away from work.
Potential damages in a personal injury claim may include qualifying medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other legally recognized losses.
People researching a car accident near me or a car accident near Harnett County should understand that North Carolina follows a contributory negligence rule.
Under this rule, a person whose own negligence contributes to an accident may be barred from recovering damages, subject to certain exceptions.
However, passengers are not automatically considered negligent simply because they were riding in a vehicle involved in a collision. The circumstances surrounding each person’s conduct must be evaluated separately.
The available information does not establish that any church van passenger contributed to the accident.
Can a Family File a Wrongful Death Claim After a Fatal Crash?
When someone dies because of another person’s legally actionable conduct, North Carolina law may allow a wrongful death claim.
Under North Carolina General Statutes § 28A-18-2, a wrongful death action is generally brought by the personal representative of the deceased person’s estate.
Potential damages may include qualifying medical expenses associated with the fatal injury, funeral expenses, the deceased person’s lost earnings, and compensation for certain losses suffered by surviving family members.
In the Harnett County collision, Pastor Justin Heath died after the church van was struck and overturned. His death may raise questions about whether a wrongful death claim is available, depending on the evidence and applicable law.
The existence of criminal charges against King does not automatically establish the outcome of a civil claim. A separate legal evaluation would be necessary to determine whether the requirements for wrongful death liability are satisfied.
North Carolina generally provides two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit under North Carolina General Statutes § 1-53.
Most personal injury claims are generally subject to a three-year filing deadline under North Carolina General Statutes § 1-52, although exceptions and additional requirements may apply.
Different deadlines may arise when a government entity is involved, and the circumstances of the driver’s employment may also affect the legal analysis.
Does the Driver’s Employment as a Police Officer Affect a Civil Claim?
When an off-duty police officer is involved in a motor vehicle accident, questions may arise about whether the officer was acting within the scope of employment.
An officer’s employment with a police department does not automatically make the department or municipality responsible for every accident involving that officer.
Whether an employer may face liability generally depends on the employee’s actions, the relationship between those actions and the employee’s duties, and applicable law.
In the Harnett County collision, King was reportedly off duty when the accident occurred. Authorities have not released information suggesting that he was performing official police duties at the time.
The Durham Police Department terminated King’s employment following the crash and the criminal charge. However, the employment decision does not independently establish that the department bears civil responsibility for the collision.
Potential claims involving public entities may also raise governmental immunity questions and other legal requirements.
Determining whether an employer or government agency could face liability would require additional evidence concerning the circumstances surrounding the collision.
What Evidence Matters After a Fatal Intersection Accident?
Evidence collected after an intersection collision may help investigators determine which driver had the right-of-way and whether a traffic signal violation contributed to the crash.
Photographs of vehicle damage, roadway debris, traffic signals, and the final positions of the vehicles may provide information about the impact.
Witness statements can be especially important when drivers provide different accounts or when a collision occurs quickly.
Investigators may also review nearby surveillance footage, available vehicle data, and other physical evidence from the scene.
An official car accident report may document the investigating officers’ initial findings, but additional evidence may be necessary to establish the full circumstances.
Medical records can help document the injuries sustained by surviving passengers and the treatment provided. Hospital bills, rehabilitation records, and documentation of lost income may also become important when evaluating potential claims.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the Harnett County collision. The available information does not establish the final outcome of the investigation or the pending criminal case.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
This article reflects information reported by ABC11 on November 7, 2026, including statements attributed to the Durham Police Department and crash investigators. The fatal collision occurred on October 18, and the former officer’s termination was reported following his criminal charge.
- Pastor killed: Apostle Justin Heath, 67, died following the collision involving a church van in Harnett County. Heath was a longtime pastor and previously served as a deputy with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.
- Several passengers injured: Multiple occupants were trapped inside the overturned church van after the crash. Emergency responders removed the passengers and transported injured individuals to WakeMed for treatment.
- Crash location and circumstances: The collision occurred October 18 at North Carolina Highway 210 and Old Stage Road. Investigators reported that Joseph King was driving a Honda passenger car when he allegedly ran a red light and struck the van.
- Former officer charged: King, 52, was charged October 19 with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. The charge is an allegation, and criminal guilt must be established through the legal process.
- Employment terminated: The Durham Police Department terminated King’s employment on Wednesday, November 4, following the fatal collision and criminal charge. Readers can review our frequently asked questions in North Carolina for additional information about accident-related claims.
- Investigation continues: The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is leading the collision investigation, while the Durham Police Department conducted a separate internal review. Injured passengers and surviving families can explore accident resources in North Carolina for further information.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Information reflects publicly available reports and may change as investigators release additional findings. Criminal charges are allegations, and no determination of guilt, negligence, or civil liability should be assumed from the circumstances described. Please review our disclaimer for further details.
Fatal collisions involving passenger vans can leave families facing funeral expenses, lost financial support, and difficult questions about legal responsibility. Injured passengers may also face hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, and time away from work. North Carolina law establishes specific requirements for personal injury claims, wrongful death actions, contributory negligence, and potential claims involving government employees. A North Carolina personal injury lawyer can review the available evidence, explain applicable filing deadlines, and discuss whether injured passengers or surviving family members may have grounds to pursue compensation.