Troopers: Man arrested in connection to fatal Lincoln County hit-and-run

LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. — North Carolina Highway Patrol State Troopers made an arrest Saturday morning in a hit-and-run incident that killed a Lincolnton woman Wednesday night.

Travis Kirk Fitzpatrick, 33, is charged with felony hit-and-run after officials say he struck and killed Sherry Kittle, 53, on Highway 321 near Lincolnton.

Fitzpatrick is out of jail on a $25,000 bond.

Troopers said they got a tip that lead to the arrest after someone saw news coverage of the story on Friday night.

State Troopers got a big break in the case Friday, announcing at a press conference that 12-year-old Randy Guardardo found an antenna at the crime scene.

Guarardo, who lives near the accident scene, called 911 Wednesday night.

"We were watching TV here in the living room and we heard a loud bang and saw her laying right here in the grass," Guardardo said.

When he found the antenna, Guarardo once again called the police.

Troopers didn't see the piece of evidence during their initial investigation.

Highway patrolman Kelly Stewart showed Channel 9 the antenna and shattered pieces of a headlight found by the not far from where Kittle died.

Stewart urged the anyone involved in the accident to contact law enforcement Friday.

"We're encouraging the person or persons to please come forward. Share your side of the story. Help us understand what happened," Stewart said.

Anyone with additional information about the hit-and-run is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 704-736-8909.


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