Drunk driver charged in crash that killed Catawba Co. pastor, troopers say

CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — A pastor was killed and his three children were hospitalized Tuesday night after a pickup truck ran a red light on Highway 70 near Conover and smashed into their minivan, officials said.

The driver of the work truck, 31-year-old Zachariah Carl, was impaired when he slammed into the minivan driven by Michael Vanderburg at about 6:30 p.m., the Highway Patrol said.

Troopers said Vanderburg's three children were also in the van and were taken to the hospital. On Wednesday, they were released and are with their mother and other family members.

"It is very unfortunate that we have people in our society that are operating impaired out here on the highway,” Trooper Kelly Stewart said. “Not only are they endangering themselves, but more of a travesty is they are endangering, and in this case, killing innocent people."

(Pastor Michael Vanderburg)

Vanderburg died at the scene. The 43-year-old was the senior pastor at Abundant Life Church of God in Hudson.

Church members said Vanderburg attracted dozens of young people, including Jessica Hatley.

"He would tell us exactly what his little daughter said last night,” Hatley said. “She said, ‘We are not supposed to be sad. We should remember that he is in heaven and he is rejoicing."

Carl was charged with second-degree murder and DWI. Investigators told Channel 9 that his license had been revoked from a previous DWI.

In addition to the DWI and second-degree murder charges, Carl was also charged with possession of an open container, failing to stop at a red light and driving with a revoked license.

An accident reconstruction team returned to the crash scene, near the entrance to the Fairgrounds, Wednesday morning to collect more evidence.

The Highway Patrol said that they did find alcohol inside Carl's work truck and that he was under the influence.

Carl faced a judge for the first time Wednesday morning, and the district attorney asked that Carl's bond be increased to $1 million because he has been convicted twice for DWI in the past.

"This is a horrific tragedy,” district attorney David Learner said. “As I told the judge, a random act of violence."

Funeral arrangements have been made for Vanderburg.

Visitation will be held Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Abundant life Church of God in Granite Falls. The memorial service will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

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