A 19-year-old Hickory man died after a Friday evening motorcycle crash along Highway 70 Southeast, the latest fatal wreck to rattle drivers who use the busy corridor. The collision happened just before 8:15 p.m. near 21st Street Lane Southeast, when the Kawasaki motorcycle he was riding collided with a Hyundai Kona. He was taken first to Catawba Valley Medical Center, then airlifted to a hospital in Charlotte, where he died on Saturday. Hickory police said no charges had been filed as of Monday while investigators continue to work the case.
According to WBTV, the rider has been identified as Alex Austin. The station reports Austin had been traveling behind the Hyundai Kona before the crash and was initially treated at Catawba Valley Medical Center prior to being flown to Charlotte. Officials did not immediately say whether anyone in the Hyundai was hurt, and WBTV notes that police are still sorting out the circumstances of the wreck.
Statewide motorcycle safety patterns
State data show that crashes like this one fit into broader motorcycle safety concerns across North Carolina. The North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program’s FY2024 Annual Report found that speed-related and nighttime wrecks disproportionately affect younger riders. The report states that speeding is especially common among drivers ages 16–29 and among motorcyclists, and it cites statewide campaigns such as “Speed a Little. Lose a Lot.” that aim to curb those fatalities. Investigators routinely weigh those statewide patterns when looking at factors such as speed, impairment and helmet use after local crashes.
Investigation and how to help
Hickory police reiterated Monday that no charges had been filed and asked anyone who might have seen the crash or has information about it to contact Sgt. Amanda Efird at [email protected] or call the Hickory Police Department at 828-328-5551. Those contact details were included in reporting by WBTV. Police have not released additional information about anyone who may have been riding in the Hyundai Kona.
Catawba Valley Medical Center lists its Hickory campus at 810 Fairgrove Church Road SE and serves as the primary community hospital for Catawba County crash victims. The health system’s site notes its emergency department and inpatient services that treat trauma patients. We will update this post if officials release further information.
