Northampton County deputy killed in vehicle crash

An Eastern Carolina deputy sheriff has died while responding to a call.

Northampton County Sheriff Jack Smith says Deputy Makeem Brooks died in a crash around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday on Highway 158 just outside of Garysburg.

The 27-year-old from Gaston had been with the sheriff's office for about six months.

The sheriff says Brooks was responding to a shots fired call for a woman when his cruiser ran off the highway, hit a ditch and overturned several times.

Brooks was pronounced dead about a half-hour after the accident. He leaves behind four children, according to the sheriff.

The Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.