According to a preliminary report by Trooper J.T. Keeter of the state Highway Patrol, Timothy Simmons, 56, was driving a riding lawn mower north on Sam Powell Dairy Road when the driver of the Chevrolet SUV struck him from behind around 9:15 p.m. Simmons was ejected from the lawn mower.
The report indicates the lawn mower had no lights or reflectors and the driver of the SUV was unable to see the lawn mower, which was in the travel lane, due to the darkness.
The crash occurred about 5.5 miles south of Roanoke Rapids.
