NEWTON – On Thursday, 10 October 2019, at approximately 11:40 a.m., the NC State Highway Patrol (SHP) responded to and is investigating a hit & run collision in Caldwell County on US 221 near Grandfather Mountain.
A cyclist was traveling north on US 221. A southbound minivan crossed the double yellow line in a curve, collided head-on with one of the cyclists, and continued without stopping. The injured cyclist has been identified as Ignacio Giraldo, 61, of Sunrise, Florida. He was cycling in a group with his daughter and 2 others. Giraldo was airlifted to Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City, Tennessee in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.
Investigators are searching for a charcoal grey
2005-2010 Toyota Sienna minivan which may have damage to the right
front, headlight, and/or right front fender area. Anyone with
information in encouraged to contact the SHP Troop F Communications
Center at 828-466-5500.