Hickory Man Charged After Tragic Fatal Crash

33-year-old Sidney Lee Baker of 17th Avenue N.E. in Hickory was arrested by Hickory Police on Monday (October 21) on charges of felony death by motor vehicle, driving while impaired, careless & reckless driving, felony possession of a schedule I controlled substance, and misdemeanor possession of a schedule II controlled substance.

Baker was arrested in connection with a fatal accident that occurred just before 5 p.m. Monday on Fairgrove Church Road at Interstate 40. The accident happened as Officers were on the scene investigating a separate traffic crash in the northbound lane of Fairgrove Church Road. A blue 2023 Honda Accord driven by Baker was traveling south on Fairgrove Church Road when it drifted into the divider lane. There, it struck two Hickory Police Officers and Taylor Pendergrast of Lenoir, who were standing next to a police car parked in the northbound lane.

Ms. Pendergrast was transported to Catawba Valley Medical Center and then airlifted to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center where she passed away early this morning. One H.P.D. Officer was taken to Catawba Valley Medical Center where he was treated and released. The other Officer was treated and released at the scene.

Baker was arrested at the scene. He was placed in the Catawba County Detention Facility under no bond. Bond on the drug charges was set at $5,000. A first appearance in court on the drug charges was scheduled today with a first appearance on the death by vehicle charge coming up tomorrow in Newton.

Story: Ralph Mangum-WHKY