30-year-old Charlotte photographer dies after being hit on The Plaza while cycling
A 30-year-old Charlotte woman died at a hospital a day after she was hit by a car while riding a bicycle in Plaza Midwood, police said.
Police responded about 5 p.m. Jan. 5 to the 1400 block of The Plaza and found “an unconscious bicyclist” who had been hit by a Honda Insight.
“As the Honda was approaching the intersection, the bicyclist, traveling east on Hamorton Place, entered the intersection at The Plaza in front of the Honda,” CMPD said in a Monday statement.
“The driver of the Honda was unable to stop in time and collided with the bicycle. The bicyclist hit the side of the vehicle and windshield, and landed back on the roadway. The Honda stopped shortly after the collision.”
The cyclist, identified by police as Kristie Nicole Crowder, died at a hospital at about 3 p.m. Jan. 6.
The driver of the Honda stayed at the scene and “was found not to be impaired,” CMPD said.
On social media, Crowder’s father said she died on his birthday.
“If you know our family, you know I have a special bond with my girls. So even in death Kristie wanted that bond to continue. Henceforth we will continue to celebrate January 6, as my earthly birthday and her heavenly birthday,” Buddy Crowder wrote on Facebook.
In a second post, Buddy Crowder said his daughter was an organ donor.
Crowder said on a website for her photography business she was a Morganton native and UNC Charlotte alumnus. She worked as a capital markets analyst, she wrote, but her “passion” was taking photos.
“I am not your typical photographer. It was years before I decided I wanted to capture your beautiful face; but in December 2018 I received my first camera and after that, I was hooked,” Crowder’s website reads. “I carried my first camera to 6 different countries and then decided one year later to transition my hobby to my side hustle.”
A GoFundMe has been launched to help cover Crowder’s final expenses.
CMPD’s investigation into her death “is active and ongoing,” the department said.
Anyone who witnessed the crash or has information on what happened is asked to call police at 704-432-2169, extension 5 or contact Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600 or charlottecrimestoppers.com.
This story was originally published January 9, 2023 at 2:11 PM.
