Neighbors in Hickory are mourning the death of a well-known physician who was killed in a crash involving a suspected drunk driver over the weekend.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol confirmed to Channel 9’s Dave Faherty that Roger B. Lim of Hickory died in a crash Saturday evening.
Randy Deion Collins, 31, of Franklin, was arrested and charged in connection with the crash.
According to the highway patrol, the incident began when a trooper attempted to pull over a pickup truck for speeding on Highway 321 in Caldwell County.
According to the highway patrol, Collins was driving the truck and fled from the trooper before proceeding to Hibriton Drive SW and running through a red light at Highway 321. Collins’ truck collided with Lim’s SUV as she drove south on Highway 321.
Troopers said Lim died at the scene.
According to the highway patrol, Collins was suspected of driving under the influence during the chase and crash.
Collins was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, driving while license revoked, driving while intoxicated, felony fleeing to elude arrest, speeding at 81 mph in a 55 mph zone, reckless driving, and red light violations. As of Monday, he was being held in Caldwell County Jail without bond.
Faherty shared Collins’ mugshot on Facebook, and many people offered their condolences to Lim’s family.
Lim worked out of the emergency department in Lenoir, and many people claimed he treated them or their family members during his decades of medical practice.
