HICKORY, N.C. — A 33-year-old man is in custody after a crash Monday afternoon left two Hickory police officers injured and killed a 23-year-old woman.
Sidney Lee Baker of Hickory was driving a blue 2023 Honda Accord just before 5 p.m. when he veered into the divider lane on Fairgrove Church Road at Interstate 40 and ran into two Hickory police officers and Taylor Pendergrast of Lenoir, according to Hickory Police Department.
The two officers and Pendergrast were standing next to a parked police car in the northbound lane of Fairgrove Church Road when Baker reportedly struck them.
Pendergrast was rushed to Catawba Valley Medical Center first and then was airlifted to Atrium Health Carolina’s Medical Center due to the severity of her injuries. She died early on Tuesday.
One of the Hickory officers was also taken to Catawba Valley Medical Center, where he was treated and later released. The other officer received treatment at the scene and was not hospitalized.
Baker was arrested at the scene and faces multiple charges, including felony death by motor vehicle, driving while impaired, careless and reckless driving, and possession of Schedule I and Schedule II narcotics. It was not disclosed what type of narcotics Baker reportedly had in his possession.
The Hickory Police Department is actively investigating the crash. Authorities are urging anyone with further information to contact Sergeant Amanda Efird at 828-328-5551.