Hickory Woman Dies in Fiery Crash on NC 16 in Catawba County

Accident – Death – Obituary News : HICKORY WOMAN DIES AFTER RESCUE FROM BURNING VEHICLE IN CATAWBA COUNTY CRASH

CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – A tragic accident on NC 16 in Catawba County has claimed the life of a Hickory woman who was rescued from a burning vehicle. The incident occurred on Thursday, November 16, at approximately 11:30 p.m. and involved three vehicles and a tractor-trailer.

According to the NC State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred at the intersection of NC 16 and Buffalo Shoals Road. A 2023 Toyota Corolla, traveling on NC 16, ran a red light and collided with a 2011 Honda Accord attempting to make a left turn onto NC 16 from Buffalo Shoals Road.

The impact of the collision disabled both vehicles in the northbound lanes of NC 16. Two minutes later, a 2012 Honda Civic struck the disabled vehicles. Fortunately, the driver of the Civic was able to pull over to a safe location on the shoulder, away from the disabled vehicles. However, a fourth vehicle, a 2011 Peterbilt tractor-trailer, subsequently crashed into the disabled vehicles.

The force of the collision caused the tractor-trailer and the Corolla to veer off the road and into utility wires, which supported an electrical power pole. Tragically, the pole fell and struck the tractor-trailer, igniting a fire that quickly spread to the Corolla.

Richard Miles, the 71-year-old driver of the tractor-trailer from Rockwood, TN, and two courageous passersby came to the rescue of the woman trapped inside the burning Corolla. They managed to extricate Julia Annice Chandler, a 34-year-old resident of Hickory, from the vehicle before the flames engulfed it. Chandler was then airlifted to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte with life-threatening injuries.

Despite the best efforts of medical professionals, Julia Annice Chandler succumbed to her injuries two days later on Saturday, November 18.

Injured in the crash was Christopher David Hernandez, a 21-year-old resident of Newton and the driver of the Honda Accord. He was transported to Catawba Valley Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Honda Civic, 61-year-old Teressa Elaine Glenn, from Newton, fortunately escaped the crash unharmed.

The incident resulted in the closure of NC 16 for approximately eight hours, starting from Thursday night until Friday morning, as utility crews worked to restore the damaged power lines.

NC State Highway Patrol has indicated that charges are pending in relation to the crash.

This devastating accident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to traffic signals and exercising caution while driving. It also highlights the bravery of those who risked their own safety to rescue Julia Annice Chandler from the burning vehicle. The community mourns the loss of a young life and extends its condolences to the family and friends of the victim.

(Note: In compliance with the request to use British English, the article has been revised accordingly.).