Granite Falls- On Wednesday, September 10, at approximately 9:10 a.m., the NC State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision in Caldwell County on US 321 at River Bend Drive involving three passenger vehicles.
A 2016 Jeep Cherokee traveling south on US 321, entered the intersection attempting to turn left onto River Bend Drive on a red light and struck a northbound 2000 Dodge Dakota. This collision caused the driver of the Dakota to lose control, causing it to cross multiple lanes and collide with a 2008 Hyundai Sonata traveling south on US 321.
The driver of the Cherokee, James Oliver Mull Jr., 81, of Granite Falls, and a passenger, were not injured.
The driver of the Dakota, Wilson Brent Phillips, 62, of Lenior, was not injured.
The driver of the Sonata, Christine Mary Hallett, 55, of Charlotte, was transported by EMS to Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory, where she succumbed to her injuries.
The initial investigation does not indicate speed or impairment to be contributing factors in the collision. Upon completion of the ongoing investigation and consultation with the Caldwell County District Attorney’s Office, charges are pending against Mr. Mull. The roadway was partially closed in the area for approximately two hours.