Taylorsville – On Wednesday, September 18, at approximately 12:30 a.m., the NC State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision in Alexander County on Icard Ridge Road near Bethlehem School Road. A 1996 Chevrolet Monte Carlo was traveling north on Icard Ridge Road, when the driver lost control, crossed the center line, drove off the left side of the road, struck a ditch, and overturned.
The driver, Vanessa Shea Lail, 39, of Granite Falls, was transported by EMS to Frye Regional Medical Center, in Hickory, where she succumbed to her injuries.
The initial investigation indicates excessive speed to be the contributing circumstance in the collision. During the on-scene investigation, Icard Ridge Road was closed in the area for approximately two hours.
Conover– On Wednesday, September 18, at approximately 5:50 p.m., the NC State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision in Catawba County on Saint Peters Church Road near Springs Road.
A 2005 Chevrolet Colorado was traveling north on Saint Peters Church Road when the driver crossed the center line and drove off the left side of the road striking a fence post. The driver then re-entered the roadway, drove off the right side of the road, struck landscaping material in a yard, and collided with a tree.
The driver, Gregory Edward Gilfilen, 52, of Taylorsville, succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The initial investigation indicates speed and impairment were not contributing circumstances in the collision. During the on-scene investigation, Saint Peters Church Road was closed in the area for approximately three hours.
Gamewell – On Thursday, September 19, at approximately 9:10 a.m., the NC State Highway Patrol responded to and investigated a fatal collision in Caldwell County on Old Morganton Road SW near US 64. A 2022 Chevrolet Silverado traveling east on Old Morganton Road SW struck a bicyclist exiting the Gamewell Park parking lot. The bicyclist was not wearing any reflective clothing or a helmet.
The bicyclist, Henry Lee Tester, 48, of Lenior, was ejected from the bicycle and succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The driver of the Chevrolet, Donald Ray Robinson, 51, of Candler, was not injured.
The initial investigation does not indicate impairment or speed to be contributing factors. During the on-scene investigation, the roadway was closed in the area for two hours. No charges will be filed in this case.