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Mooresville family grieves after deadly hit-and-run wreck

By Brittney Johnson, wsoctv.com and Alexa Ashwell
By Brittney Johnson, wsoctv.com and Alexa Ashwell

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — A Mooresville family had to say goodbye to its father, Ronnie Lane Hambright, less than a year ago and now they are once again dealing with the devastating loss of another parent.

Rhonda Hambright was killed in a crash caused by a suspect trying to flee police in Mooresville early Wednesday, investigators said.

Rhonda was sitting at the traffic light at the corner of Highway 21 and Connector Road while on her way to work.

Denzel Hillary was behind the wheel of a stolen SUV and took off down Highway 21 when a police officer tried to pull him over, investigators said.

Minutes later they said Hillary crashed into several vehicles before colliding with Hambright’s car.

The Mooresville woman was killed instantly, investigators said.

“It’s heartbreaking,” said Mike Brown, who lives near the intersection where the crash happened. “The kids won’t see their mother anymore. She’s gone. It’s a sad situation.”

Channel 9 spoke briefly with Rhonda’s family members, but they were too upset to speak at length Thursday evening.

Rhonda leaves behind many family members, including three daughters and several grandchildren.

Many of her loved ones took to Facebook Thursday.

“It has not even been a year since I had to say goodbye to my Dad,” one daughter said.

“My heart is broken on this day,” a relative wrote. “My sister-in-law had her birthday Oct. 10.”

Hillary was taken into custody after a brief foot chase and now faces several felony charges.

Investigators said the officer was not chasing Hillary at the time of the crash and that he discontinued the pursuit.

Officials said they will be viewing dash cam footage from the officer’s cruiser to ensure all policies were followed.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been finalized.

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