A 38-year-old Columbia County Sheriff's Office deputy died early Thursday after his car hit a tree.

"(The) Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is deeply saddened by the sudden loss of Deputy Jeremy Crookham," sheriff's Maj. Steve Morris said in a statement Thursday morning. "We offer our prayers and sympathy to his family and ask the community to keep them in their hearts during this time of grief. His passing is a great loss for our agency and our community."

Crookham, of Lincolnton, was headed north on Ray Owens Road, north of its intersection with Crawford Place Road, about 11:48 p.m. Wednesday, according to the accident report.

"An unknown reason" caused Crookham's 2021 Jeep Renegade to run off the road and continue on the shoulder until hitting a fence and then a tree as the Jeep

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