Iredell community to pay respects to fallen deputy with motorcycle procession

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By Stephanie Tinoco

IREDELL COUNTY, N.C. — Family and friends will lay an Iredell County deputy to rest Tuesday after he was killed in a crash involving another deputy.

Corporal Bill Wood was riding his motorcycle off-duty last Wednesday when an on-duty deputy crashed into him.

The family invites the community to pay their respects during a motorcycle procession to the funeral Tuesday.

[IMAGES: Deputy killed in two-vehicle crash in Iredell County]

The procession leaves the funeral home at 3:30 and travels on Tradd, Brevard, and Hartness before arriving at Western Avenue Baptist Church on Museum Road.

The visitation will start at the church at 4:30, followed by the funeral at 6:30.

Families in Iredell County are sending their love to the Sheriff's Office after Wednesday’s tragic crash.

An off-duty Iredell County deputy on a motorcycle was killed Wednesday afternoon when he was hit by an SUV driven by an on-duty deputy, officials said.

Authorities told Channel 9 that Deputy Justin Betts tried to turn into a parking lot off Taylorsville Highway, north of Statesville, around 1:40 p.m. when he crashed into Cpl. Bill Wood's motorcycle.

Wood, who started working with Iredell County Emergency Communications in 1993 and transferred to the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office in 2007, died at the scene, officials said.

“Obviously, this is something to me that appears to be a pure accident,” Sheriff Darren Campbell said.

“He was very avid to support our troops, riding a motorcycle, events like that,” Campbell said.

"Oh, I’m very sad about it. It could have been a member of my own family just as easily,” said Bill Connelly, who works nearby.

"I just happened to look out here and the place was covered with highway patrols, sheriff's deputy trucks, firetrucks and ambulances,” Connelly said. “There was a lot going on."

Officers said Betts called dispatch to report he was involved in the deadly crash. He has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.

“He's upset and understands what the situation is,” Campbell said. “Thoughts and prayers have to be with both families.”

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