Durham Police Officer Fired Following Fatal Crash Involving North Carolina Pastor

A Durham, North Carolina, police officer, Joseph King, has been terminated from his position following a fatal vehicle collision on October 18. King, 52, faces a charge of misdemeanor death by motor vehicle after investigators determined he ran a red light and struck a church van at the intersection of N.C. Highway 210 and Old Stage Road. The crash resulted in the death of 67-year-old Pastor Justin Heath and left seven others injured, including Heath’s wife, Lynn. Six of the injured passengers required hospital treatment.

Pastor Heath, who led Fore Christ Church and Cutting Edge Revelational Ministries in Mount Olive, had concluded a revival service just two hours before the accident. During his final sermon, which focused on the biblical account of Lazarus, Heath encouraged his congregation to embrace spiritual renewal and healing. He shared reflections on the afterlife, expressing a desire to ask biblical figures about their experiences in heaven. Durham Police Chief Stephanie Mardis expressed condolences to the victims and stated that the department maintains high standards of conduct as the North Carolina State Highway Patrol continues its investigation.