Highway Patrol still seeking info on fatal hit-and-run

State authorities are again asking the public for information in a New Years Eve hit and run near Holly Ridge that left a woman dead.

Caroline Lauren Cromer, 18, of Richlands, was struck while walking at about 10 p.m. Dec. 31 on U.S. 17 about 1.4 miles north of Hines Stump Sound Church Road in Holly Ridge. She was found face down in the road and pronounced dead at the scene by Onslow County Emergency Medical Services. She died of severe blunt force trauma to the head, according to her autopsy report.

“The Highway Patrol has followed up on several leads and information provided by the public, but has not been able to obtain any information that will bring this case to a close,” 1st Sgt. Kevin Martin said.

Cromer, a 2009 graduate of Richlands High School and student at Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, had been visiting friends in Holly Ridge on New Year’s Eve.

She left a party in Holly Ridge, barefooted, and began to walk home. She had not been drinking alcohol, according to her autopsy report.

Authorities said that they do not know why Cromer was walking in the travel lane. State law prohibits pedestrians from walking in the roadway.

“When a person traveling in the roadway strikes a pedestrian who’s not supposed to be in the roadway, why would this person leave?” Trooper J.D. Kirk, who is leading the investigation, previously said asked He said the driver may have thought Cromer was an animal due to her dark clothing.

Martin said he hopes the driver of the vehicle that struck Cromer has told someone about the collision.

Crime Stoppers of Onslow County is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to an arrest or apprehension in the case. Anyone with information concerning the incident can contact Onslow Crime Stoppers at 910-938-3273 or the N.C. State Highway Patrol at 910-347-1751. Callers do not have to reveal their identities.