Juvenile Dies After Hickory Pedestrian Crash

A juvenile has died following a pedestrian crash that occurred last week in downtown Hickory.

According to the Hickory Police Department, officers responded to 213 Government Avenue SW at approximately 8:15 p.m. on Thursday, February 26 after receiving reports of a crash involving pedestrians.

Investigators say two people — a juvenile and a 40-year-old man — were struck by a 2001 Toyota Camry Solara traveling west on Government Avenue SW. The vehicle was driven by 78-year-old Donald Gene Bledsole of Hickory.

First responders with Catawba County EMS and the Hickory Fire Department provided lifesaving aid to both victims at the scene.

The 40-year-old man suffered serious injuries and was transported to a local hospital, where he was later treated and released.

The juvenile was transported to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem but later died from injuries sustained in the crash.

Authorities say a warrant for Bledsole’s arrest was served on Wednesday, March 4. He has been charged with misdemeanor death by vehicle. He was also cited for two counts of failure to reduce speed and one count of driving left of center.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hickory Police Department at 828-328-5551 or reach out to Sgt. Amanda Efird by email at aefird@hickorync.gov.