On Tuesday, January 17, at approximately 5:00 p.m., the NC State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision in Catawba County on Saint James Church Road at Sunset Street. A 2009 Kia Rio was traveling east on Sunset Street, attempted to turn left from a stop sign onto Saint James Church Road, and turned in front of a southbound 2016 Kia Optima. The driver of the Kia Rio, Vance William Bentley, 82, of Newton, was transported by Catawba County EMS to Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory, where he succumbed to his injuries. He was not restrained by a seatbelt. Two passengers in the Kia Rio were also transported to Catawba Valley Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the 2016 Kia Optima, Harvelee McClough, 42, of Hickory, was not injured. 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 one hour.
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