A tragic accident involving a Hickory Police Department patrol vehicle has resulted in the deaths of a mother and her son. The victims have been identified as 38-year-old Cynthia Nicole Lail and her 12-year-old son, Michael Lail. The crash occurred on Friday night at the intersection of U.S. Highway 70 and 13th Street SW in Hickory.
According to N.C. Highway Patrol Master Trooper Christopher Casey, Cynthia Lail died at the scene, while her son passed away at Atrium Health Wake Forest Brenner Children’s Hospital on Sunday. The officer driving the patrol vehicle has been identified as 24-year-old Atia Mohamed Shamseldin, and a police applicant, 21-year-old Matthew Lee Wendell, was riding along in the front seat.
The investigation into the crash is still ongoing, and no charges have been filed as of Monday morning. The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
The events leading up to the crash began when the Hickory officer attempted to stop a motorcycle on U.S. Highway 70 for careless and reckless driving and failing to display a license plate. The motorcyclist fled, prompting the officer to initiate a pursuit. As the chase approached the intersection of U.S. Highway 70 and 13th Street SW, a Honda Odyssey minivan entered the intersection and was struck by the patrol vehicle.
Cynthia Lail and her son were the occupants of the Honda minivan. Hickory police officers who arrived on the scene immediately called for medical assistance and tried to provide emergency medical aid to the mother and son. Both Catawba County EMS and the Hickory Fire Department responded and continued to provide medical aid to all involved parties.
The officer and the police applicant sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to the hospital for treatment.
The N.C. State Highway Patrol is conducting the traffic crash investigation at the request of the Hickory Police Department. They are also seeking information regarding the identity of the motorcyclist who fled the scene.
A GoFundMe page titled Cynthia Fox and Michael Lail has been set up by Cynthia Lail’s niece to help with funeral expenses, medical bills, and support for Cynthia’s two surviving children. Cynthia Lail was a mother of three and engaged to be married.
This tragic incident highlights the dangers and risks involved in police pursuits. Investigations will hopefully shed light on the circumstances surrounding the crash and provide answers to the victims’ families.
