TruckingIndustry.news

Three Questioned in Truck Driver's Murder

by Jana Ritter - Published: 4/06/2016

Just weeks after a truck driver was murdered at a Sumner, WA truck stop, another truck driver was shot to death in Polk County, N.C. last Thursday and now three “persons of interest” are in custody. They were arrested In Gainesville, Florida on charges unrelated to the homicide, but investigators believe they are connected to the case.

                                                              truck driver murdered in N.C.

In other news
January 05, 2018 - Trucker Faces 20 Years After Pleading Guilty To Smuggling Alien Found Dead In Locked Toolbox
January 02, 2018 - Police Identify 2 Oregon Truck Drivers Killed In Fiery Head-On Crash
December 27, 2017 - Iowa First Of Eight States To Debut New Truck Parking Information System

On Thursday, March 31 at around 6 a.m. the driver of a tractor-trailer pulled up behind a box truck parked along the on ramp from Highway 108 to U.S. 74 West. The box truck suddenly rolled backwards and hit the tractor-trailer, so the big rig driver called police to simply report the accident. But when officers arrived on the scene, they found 51-year-old Destry Horne of Lilesville, N.C. dead in the cab. According to Det. Sgt. Randall Hodge of the Polk County Sheriff's Office, it was quickly determined he had been shot by a handgun and it appeared to be a homicide rather than a suicide. Hodge said they immediately interviewed the tractor-trailer driver who explained he had been getting ready for his day on the job, when the box truck just rolled into him. Investigators said there were no signs indicating the tractor-trailer driver was involved in Horne’s death.

                                                            victim found dead in box truck

Polk County investigators wasted no time trying to piece together the crime and by April 1, they released surveillance photos from a nearby gas station of two men and two women who were seen about 500 yards away from where Horne was found in his truck. They were also driving a stolen car, which also appeared on the surveillance footage and was involved in a police chase the next day. Apparently, a Spartanburg County deputy spotted one of the men at a restaurant and when he tried to stop the Ford Mustang the suspect was driving, a high-speed chase ensued. According to the police, the chase started on Highway 9 and continued on Interstate 85 reaching speeds of over 130 mph. The feeing suspect caused several accidents attempting to bypass heavy traffic and driving in the emergency lane. However, the Mustang managed to escape and was later found abandoned on a nearby road. The driver was later identified through fingerprints in the car - as Quintae Edwards.

                                                           3 suspects questioned in truck driver's murder

Then on Sunday night, three people were arrested in Gainesville, FL for a home invasion, robbery and kidnapping attempt - using a handgun. They turned out to be Edwards and two others from the gas station surveillance video - Kwame Fernanders and Kayla Black. Polk County investigators travelled to Florida to question them about Horne’s murder and are continuing to seek the fourth person of interest.

Authorities urge anyone who saw anything or may have any information related to the murder to contact the Polk County Sheriff's Office at (828) 894-3001.


Raymond M Muro
Raymond M Muro
This could've happened to anyone. How you handle it is all on you. My mind is a weapon, everything else is a tool.
Mark Goff
Mark Goff
Watch your back drivers we seem to b a target for these kind of people
Chris Seiley
Chris Seiley
I got something special for em If they try getting in my truck
Tyrone Woods
Tyrone Woods
Sounds more like they shot someone trying to steal a six wheeler and the truck driver could of been next.
Maxine Randall
Maxine Randall
That's crazy!!!! Pray and keep it moving!!!
William Vinet
William Vinet
Take care of your self out there no load or job is worth your life
Sheila Johnson Crowley
Sheila Johnson Crowley
Never pick up a hitch hiker and I hope you can carry for your own safety.
Jay Smith
Jay Smith
If they're responsible give them what they ALL deserve: a bullet.
Tom Scherf
Tom Scherf

Ed Ferrari
Ed Ferrari
Time for lights out
Ronnie Meyers
Ronnie Meyers
Rip driver so sad
Dean M Lynn
Dean M Lynn

Sean Christopher Lewis
Sean Christopher Lewis
Rip
Nicholas Tomcheck
Nicholas Tomcheck
It's a matter of time that a lot of drivers are going to be robbed and murdered. These foreign people from other countries will do what that may to survive in our now third world country.
John Everline
John Everline
Put those three to sleep asap. No need to wait. We should not have to worry about this bullshit while trying to make a living.
Manuel Jelly Cavazos
Manuel Jelly Cavazos
I guess it's open season on truck drivers
Joshua D Cunningham
Joshua D Cunningham
And this is exactly why I carry regardless of who likes it and doesn't like it.. By law I have a right to protect myself, my home, and my business. Just so happens two of the three are the same..
Scott Dunham
Scott Dunham
I carried a weapon every day for 6 years in the military and I didn't miss a beat after I got out in 88 and jumped in these trucks. Hell I wouldn't be about to sleep at night without it after 35 years.
Scott R Larsen
Scott R Larsen
I'm all for keeping an equalizer in my truck and do
Travis Hall
Travis Hall
45 on the tv stand n a 9 behind passenger seat, come in.
Johnnie Kingpin Wynne
Johnnie Kingpin Wynne
This is why I carry...rather to be judged by 12 than carried by 6
Clint Hennis
Clint Hennis
R.I.P driver . They will be found .
Marshall Hendrix
Marshall Hendrix
This is y i have a gun in my trucks
Chris Seiley
Chris Seiley
And we still ain't allowed to carry a pistol on us
Marie Javens
Marie Javens
Please be careful out there
Curtis Littrell
Curtis Littrell
And why not???
Chris Seiley
Chris Seiley
Well " legally" DOT won't allow any weapons in a CMV because of varying laws.
Jake Moore
Jake Moore
You can carry. I have gone through multiple scales with mine. In order to conceal you must have a ccw that works in the state your traveling.
Chris Seiley
Chris Seiley
Well Damn. I been lied to for years haha.
Nick Mazzacco Sr.
Nick Mazzacco Sr.
See. This is why us truckers should be aloud to pack heat.
Curtis Littrell
Curtis Littrell
We are..
Nick Mazzacco Sr.
Nick Mazzacco Sr.
Illegally
Machael Jamie Emerson
Machael Jamie Emerson
No it's legal as long as you know your laws for each star you drive in and have a weapon permit
Nick Mazzacco Sr.
Nick Mazzacco Sr.
And if that state don't allow it?
Nick Mazzacco Sr.
Nick Mazzacco Sr.
Pretty sure sure it fed law no trucker can carry fire arms
Helen Hover
Helen Hover
It is Not fed law.
Machael Jamie Emerson
Machael Jamie Emerson
If the state dose not allow it then you put it away in a locked fun case until you are in a state that allows it with your permit.
Machael Jamie Emerson
Machael Jamie Emerson
That is fed law
Al Matta
Al Matta
That's why you got to have a gun with you to defend you self!!!
Heston Rounkles
Heston Rounkles
And it only costs 12 dollars per 10hrs to park there.
Rebecca David
Rebecca David
Seriously! I really hope that is a joke. The day we demand our drivers to pull over after X amount of hours then charge them to do so is BS....I so wish people would realize with out those truckers our shelves would be empty... Plain and simple. I challenge everyone to look around them no matter where they are and find something that did NOT touch a truck. Better hope all those truckers never say enough is enough and form a strike.... That is what it will take for people to realize how important drivers are. Especially the small amount of Real truck drivers that are left.
Robert Camp
Robert Camp
Unfortunately alot of places charge foe parking
Rebecca David
Rebecca David
Robert Camp that is whacked. I get all truckers are not decent but there is more good then bad. There is some good ones left...
Robert Camp
Robert Camp
I know and some of the prices they charge you would think it would be safe to stay there but the free truckstops are 100 times better
Beth Howells
Beth Howells
He wasnt In a ts
Heston Rounkles
Heston Rounkles
Story says it was in a summer, wa truck stop. And there's only one in sumner
Heston Rounkles
Heston Rounkles
It was a gas station with a few truck parking spots, till he got the land next door practically free for putting in a cng refill island. Now he has a huge lot and charges $12 per 10hrs plus tax because Seattle won't allow more truck stops to be built he gets away with it. And possibility of ta losing truck parking could get worse. Seattle you park on the street, in back of a building, or drive 30 miles to one of 3 truck stops on 3 sides and hope they have parking. Like los Angeles. They charge because they have no competition. 16 years ago most truck stops charged for parking before flying j and loves started competing and most got rid of paid parking. That's why most ta and petros have those booths at the entrance but are free to park
Danielle Lee Freshour
Danielle Lee Freshour
It's Mostly in the large City area's they charge. It's up to around $15 for a 24hr period. Memphis Petro charges $15 plus tax. Comes out to $16.35. If you get 50gallons of fuel or spend $20 in the store parking is then free. Now the 4 major truck stops are reserving 1/4 part of their lots for paid parking. You can call ahead for a parking spot and prepay for it. It cost about $12. I think that is BS.
Heston Rounkles
Heston Rounkles
It's 's, but also nice late at night at places that always fill. Lodi,ca. Indianapolis. Then it's nice when you don't have time to drive somewhere else. Especially if your company reimburses it
Matthew Fields
Matthew Fields
Hang all 3 from there necks
George Fiebe
George Fiebe
RIP fellow trucker....
Shirley Carey
Shirley Carey
What are we open targets now.
Beth Howells
Beth Howells
Only reason your hearing more is social media this isnt new
Kenneth Antone
Kenneth Antone

Billy Austin
Billy Austin
Me too
Tim Mowry
Tim Mowry
RIP BROTHER TRUCKER
Yordanis Candelario
Yordanis Candelario
Donde es eso hermano
Yordanis Candelario
Yordanis Candelario
Vamos a tener k andar armado
Stacy Walker Dean
Stacy Walker Dean
Buddy Dean, scary!
Whitney McNally
Whitney McNally
Lisa Camden Giles 🙈🙉🙊
Lisa Camden Giles
Lisa Camden Giles
That's my worst fear
Kenneth Williams
Kenneth Williams
Amy Williams
Software Scripts
Software Scripts
Interesting post this is really good more on please
Erick Painter
Erick Painter
Not his first stupid comment
Shirley Carey
Shirley Carey
Probably just a stupid 4wheeler that hates trucks. Not worth a second thought.
Heather Strickland
Heather Strickland
He wouldn't know a truck driver walking down the street...he is a Obama/Clinton supporter!!