SHAWBORO – A single-vehicle accident near here Sunday afternoon claimed the life of a former Gates County Sheriff’s Deputy.

Tobe Ruffin, 29, of Gates died in the accident, which took place on NC 34 in Currituck County near the intersection of Snowden Road.

North Carolina State Highway Patrol Trooper D.D. Banks investigated the fatal wreck, which occurred shortly before 2:30 p.m.

Trooper Banks said Ruffin was operating a Crysler passenger car, traveling north on NC 34.

“He was coming out of a curve at which time he lost control of the vehicle,” Banks stated.

The car, Banks said, then traveled left of center, and ran off the road at which time it overturned and landed in a large ditch.

Banks noted that the road was wet from a rain shower at the time of the accident and that Ruffin was not traveling at a safe speed for the existing conditions.

There were no passengers in the vehicle.