Man Arrested in Cherokee County Hit-and-Run

Cherokee County: June 26, 2023: Authorities in Cherokee County, North Carolina, announced they have the man responsible in custody after a woman was hit by a vehicle and later died.

The following information was announced this morning in a press release:

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Immediate Release In the late-night hours of June 23, 2023, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Deputies responded to a report of a possible Hit and Run Incident near the intersection of US 19 and Snap-On Drive.

Deputies arrived on the scene where they located a female, Lena Shook Thompson, with apparent life-threatening injuries. Cherokee County Emergency Medical Services were called and responded to the scene and attempted to stabilize the female.

During the course of the initial investigation, it became apparent that the victim sustained these injuries as a result of an assault that had occurred. Thompson was transported to Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital where she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased.

After further investigation, the suspect, Patrick Ryan Williams, was taken into custody and charged with Murder. Williams is currently being held at the Cherokee County Detention Center under no bond and is scheduled to appear in District Court on June 28, 2023.

Sheriff Dustin Smith stated, “We appreciate the Cherokee County Emergency Medical Services, Cherokee County Dispatch, and all others involved in helping to resolve this incident. The vital role they play, in conjunction with the relationship they have with our law enforcement personnel, were critical in solving this case.”

WNCTimes

Editor's Note:* A criminal charge is an accusation, by law, a person accused of a crime is innocent until proven in a court of law.