Conover– On Friday, September 27, at approximately 11:25 p.m., the NC State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision in Catawba County on Highland Avenue NE at Fairgrove Church Road. A 2013 Hyundai Sonata traveling south on Fairgrove Church Road, entered the intersection on a red light and was struck by a 2015 Dodge Ram traveling east on Highland Avenue NE.
The driver of the Hyundai, Mauricio Diaz Gomez, 24, of Hickory, succumbed to his injuries at the scene. A female passenger and child were transported by EMS to Catawba Valley Medical Center, with non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the Dodge, James Nicholas Walker, 44, of Lenoir, and a juvenile passenger were transported by EMS to Catawba Valley Medical Center, with non-life-threatening injuries.
The initial investigation does not indicate impairment to be a contributing factor and no charges will be filed in this case. During the on-scene investigation, the roadway was closed in the area for approximately two hours.