By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Rowan County officials have identified a pedestrian who was struck and killed Tuesday night by a sheriff’s deputy on Rowan Mill Road.

Authorities also identified the deputy involved.

Deputies arrived to Rowan Mill Road, not far from the entrance to Foxbridge subdivision at Foxfire Drive, to find a Chevrolet Caprice patrol vehicle No. 1206 sitting in the eastbound lane. The driver of the patrol vehicle, Deputy James Corriher, had just left firearms qualifications training on Majolica Road, sheriff’s officials said in a statement.

According to Rowan officials, Corriher said he felt some type of impact and stopped to investigate. The patrol vehicle had damage to the front passenger side and passenger side mirror. Corriher called 911 and, while on the phone, discovered a person lying just off the road behind the patrol vehicle.

Corriher gave first aid to the victim until first responders arrived.

Rowan EMS attempted to revive the person but were unsuccessful.

The victim was identified as Jose Antero Rodriguez, 31, a white man of Hispanic origin, whose address was listed as 130 BHS Drive, located off Sherills Ford Road.

The State Highway Patrol is the lead investigating agency in this incident. The patrol notified Rodrigue’s family of his death.

Corriher was recently hired at the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office and had worked the past year and seven months as a China Grove police officer. Corriher was taken to Novant Health Rowan Medical Center to be checked for any injuries.

Units from the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, Salisbury Police Department, and State Highway Patrol were all present at the scene.

Members of the State Highway Patrol’s Accident Reconstruction Team gathered evidence and will continue the investigation.

The reconstruction team returned to the scene briefly Wednesday morning to gather more details and were seen measuring and marking the roadway.

No charges have been filed, Highway Patrol spokesman Trooper Ned Moultrie said earlier Wednesday.

It’s not clear if the victim was wearing dark clothing, Moultrie said.

The area does not appear to be well lit, but there is a streetlight at the entrance to the subdivision.

Sheriff Kevin Auten and the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office asked for thoughts and prayers for the family of Rodriguez and for Deputy Corriher.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.