2 police officers struck by car at license checkpoint

CONOVER, N.C. — A 17-year-old girl drove through a license checkpoint on Sunday and struck two Conover officers who were in the roadway, police said.

The driver of the Ford Fusion was traveling north on County Home Road inside the Conover city limits at about 12:25 a.m. when she hit the police officers and another vehicle. The teen stopped the car after that.

The patrol cars had their blue lights on when the collision happened.

The two officers were transported to Catawba Valley Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries. They were treated and released.

The girl, who is from Conover, wasn’t hurt. Charges are pending against her.

Resident Tyquan Cooper said he has seen about a dozen license-checking stations over the last three months.

“I understand it’s a precaution, and no one should ever get hurt doing their job, but we need to know why these people are out here doing their jobs, as well,” Cooper said.

The police chief said they do the checkpoints to ensure drivers are complying with state laws.

Shaun Witherspoon supports the checkpoints so officers can keep drivers safe from someone who may be under the influence.

“If they’re trying to get drunk drivers off the road, then I encourage that because I got kids,” Witherspoon said. “So, I don’t want to be on the road or in danger because someone else made a bad decision.”

A resident who didn’t want to be identified said she was glad the officers were not seriously hurt and that the teenager responsible for the collision stopped.

“They have a job to do,” she said. “And their lives are put on the line a lot of times. I would love it if they’d didn’t get injured as much as they do.”

State troopers are investigating the crash.

No additional details have been made available.

This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates.