A Lenoir woman was struck and killed, and two Hickory police officers were injured on Monday when police say a driver struck all three at the scene of a separate crash.
Sidney Lee Baker, 33, of Hickory, is charged with driving while impaired, felony death by motor vehicle, careless and reckless driving, possession of a Schedule I controlled substance and possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, the Hickory Police Department said.
Baker is charged in a crash on Fairgrove Church Road that killed 23-year-old Taylor Pendergrast of Lenoir, Hickory police said.
She was taken by ambulance to Catawba Valley Medical Center and later flown by helicopter to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. Pendergrast died at the hospital early Tuesday morning, Hickory police said.
Here is how police said the fatal collision unfolded.
Shortly before 5 p.m., Hickory police officers were investigating a traffic crash in the northbound lane of Fairgrove Church Road near Interstate 40. While officers were on scene, a blue 2023 Honda Accord drifted out of the southbound lane of Fairgrove Church Road and into the middle turning lane. The Honda Accord struck two Hickory police officers and Pendergrast. The officers and Pendergrast were standing next to a Hickory patrol vehicle parked in the northbound lane, Hickory police said.
Baker was identified as the driver of the Honda Accord and was arrested at the scene of the crash, police said. Both Hickory police officers were injured. One officer was transported to Catawba Valley Medical Center where he was treated and released. The other officer was treated at the scene, Hickory police said.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Sergeant Amanda Efird at the Hickory Police Department at 828-328-5551.