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Grandmother, granddaughter die after golf cart hit by car

By Dee Henry | Hickory Daily Record

Published: May 25, 2009

HUDSON - A 15-year-old girl and her grandmother were killed Saturday evening when the golf cart they were using to cross Hickory Nut Ridge Road was struck by a car.

The 15-year-old's twin sister was airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center, where she was treated and released.

Kara Chandler, 15, of Jefferson Place in Granite Falls, and Karen Smith, 59, of Manor Brook Lane in Hudson, were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, said Trooper T.C. Williams of the N.C. Highway Patrol. Cressinda Chandler, 15, who was sitting between her sister and grandmother in the golf cart, was airlifted from a staging area at Tri-County Speedway. Med Center Air flew her to CMC.

Kevin Mays, 19, of Beach Street in Granite Falls, was driving a 2001 Mercury Cougar that struck the golf cart as it crossed the road, Williams said.

The accident happened around 5 p.m. and Williams said it was more than likely the result of the driver of the cart, Kara Chandler, not being able to see Mays' car.

"There were two pick-up trucks going in the opposite direction (of Mays) and as they went by, she didn't see the car coming," Williams said.

The accident is still under investigation, but Williams said he doesn't expect any major charges to be filed at this time.

North Catawba Fire-Rescue was the first responder, being dispatched around 5 p.m. Three apparatus trucks and 16 personnel responded to the scene from the department. Those personnel and units sent from the Catawba County Sheriff's Office assisted with traffic while the N.C. Highway Patrol conducted its investigation.

Hickory Nut Ridge Road was closed for approximately 1 1/2 hours.