By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
STATESVILLE ó A former Salisbury probation officer was killed in a two-vehicle collision Thursday afternoon.
Jeffrey ěJeffî Settle, 41, of 157 Gray Barn Drive, Troutman, who worked in Salisbury for a number of years, died after his vehicle was struck from behind by a utility van.
The crash occurred at the intersection of U.S. 70 and Old Salisbury Road, about 3.5 miles east of Statesville, near the Rowan-Iredell line.
Settle was stopped at a red light at the intersection in a 1998 Plymouth, a state-issued car, when he was rear-ended. He was on the job, a statement released by the state Department of Correction said.
Settle worked for the N.C. Divisions of Community Corrections in Iredell County.
ěHe was wearing a seat belt,î said Sgt. Kelly Stewart of the N.C. State Highway Patrol.
The driver of the van, Kenneth Daniel Thomas, 30, of 230 Hoot Circle, Salisbury, suffered minor injuries.
He was drivng a 2005 GMC van. There were no passengers in either vehicle.
Stewart said Thomas was traveling about 55 mph and was unable to stop in time.
ěInattention was a factor. He was looking at his radio and then there he was,î he said.
After being struck, the Plymouth traveled more than 100 feet.
Stewart met with the District Attorneyís Office Friday and will meet again Monday to discuss possible charges.
Settle began his career with the Department of Correction in 1993 at Rowan Correctional Center. In 1997, he moved to the Division of Community Corrections as an administrative case officer in Rowan County.
In 2007, Settle was promoted and transferred to Iredell County. He is survived by his wife, Kelly Settle, a former probation/parole officer, and their three children.
State probation officers will wear black mourning bands across their badges in memory of Settle.
Gov. Bev Perdue has called for North Carolina flags at all Department of Correction facilities to be lowered to half-staff immediately and through sunrise Monday in honor of the life and service of Settle.
A celebration of life service is scheduled for Sunday.
Contact Shavonne Potts at 704-797-4253.