Information Released on Hit and Run Fatality

At approximately 6:45 pm Tuesday, February 21, 2017, Ethan Nathaniel Picon, age 19 of Marble, NC passed away after being struck by a motor vehicle on Reservoir Road in Murphy.  

First Sgt. Chris Wood of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol tells WKRK that Ethan Picon was walking in the travel portion of the roadway toward Murphy with his back to traffic and was struck from behind.  The vehicle left the scene of the accident.  There were no witnesses.

Law enforcement officers seized a Kia SUV operated by Trisha Lynn Hartness, age 28 of Murphy, NC.  Also seized was her cellphone.   No alcohol or drugs were involved.  Trisha Hartness turned herself into the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office at approximately 11:30 pm that same evening.

First Sgt. Wood said it was a tremendous effort between the Murphy Police Department, Cherokee County Sheriff's Office and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol to be able to locate a suspect on the night of the accident to help provide answers to the family of the victim.    

Charges are pending and the case is still under investigation.  

WKRK sends our sincere condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of Ethan Picon.