CONOVER––A Friday morning crash proved fatal for a Hickory man.

According to North Carolina State Highway Patrol Master Trooper Christopher Casey, at about 11:25 a.m., NCSHP personnel responded to and investigated a fatal collision in Catawba County on Highland Avenue NE at Fairgrove Church Road. A 2013 Hyundai “Sonata” was travelling south on Fairgrove Church Road and entered the intersection on a red light. It was struck by a 2015 Dodge “Ram” that was travelling east on Highland Avenue NE, Casey informs.

He adds that the driver of the Hyundai, Mauricio Diaz Gomez, 24, succumbed to his injuries at the scene. A female passenger and child sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported by EMS to Catawba Valley Medical Center.

The driver of the Dodge, James Nicholas Walker, 44, of Lenoir, and a juvenile passenger sustained non-life-threatening injuries as well. They were also transported by EMS to Catawba Valley Medical Center, as Casey reveals.

“The initial investigation does not indicate impairment to be a contributing factor, and no charges will be filed in this case,” he continues. “During the on-scene investigation, the roadway was closed in the area for approximately two hours.”