Who killed Andy Kilpatrick?

Andy Kilpatrick

Andy Kilpatrick

By Jana E. Pye, Editor, editor@newsandpress.net

The mystery of who was driving the vehicle that struck and killed Andy Kilpatrick, a 52-year-old man from Hartsville, has yet to be solved.

Kilpatrick was killed while riding his bicycle on East Carolina Avenue near Rolling Road in Hartsville on March 21 around 7 p.m.

According to Darlington County Sheriff Wayne Byrd, investigators are searching for a 1984 to 1989 Toyota SUV or truck that may have been involved.

Family and friends of Kilpatrick describe him as an avid hunter and fisherman, with a dogged devotion to the Gamecocks.

He was a long time employee of Sonoco, and in his spare time he belonged to a cycling group that went on long treks; he himself biked up to 100 miles per week.

But above all else, Andy was known for his immense love for his only child, daughter Mia.

His former wife, Cathy Edwards Shaw, hopes that whoever knows about the crime will come forward.
“Andy and I raised our daughter together, despite being divorced since she was around three years old,” said Shaw. “We talked more about our daughter and the day to day of her life than most married couples. I depended on him as a co-parent and as a friend. He always put Mia first. He was more than a father, he was a DADDY. One of the best.”

Shaw asks that people know how much of an impact Andy’s death has made on his family and loved ones.

“Pray for Mia. Pray for his girlfriend of eight years, Grace. Pray for his parents and his sister and his extended family. It’s not enough to simply say he is missed.”

Shaw hopes that people view his obituary, and watch the video tribute to get a glimpse of his kind spirit.

“Please keep sharing the details of the accident, to finally bring the person that did this to justice.”

Kilpatrick’s obituary may be found on the Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home website:
Mr. James Andrew Kilpatrick.

He was the son of James B. Kilpatrick and Nettie D. Kilpatrick of Hartsville, and the younger brother of Tamela Kilpatrick Watkins.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol is investigating the incident. Anyone with knowledge or information regarding this incident, more description of the vehicle, or the identity or whereabouts of the driver is asked to contact the SCHP or Crime Stoppers of the Pee Dee at 888-274-6372.

Crime Stoppers is offering a cash reward of up to $25,000. The reward is $5,000 for information leading to an arrest, and an additional $20,000.00 if the information leads to a conviction.
The family requests donations be made to the Andy Kilpatrick Memorial Scholarship that will honor an actively involved student from Hartsville High School each year. Donations can be made to the Andy Kilpatrick Scholarship Fund through the Heritage Community Bank, PO Box 2255, Hartsville, SC 29551.

According to reports from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2013, 4,735 people were killed in pedestrian/motor vehicle crashes, more than 12 people every day of the year. Though the number of pedestrian fatalities fell from 4,901 in 2001 to 4,735 in 2013, there were 66,000 reported pedestrian injuries in 2013; nearly one injury every 8 minutes. Pedestrian injuries had been on a downward trend for the past two decades, and slightly increased in 2013.
To learn bicycle and driver safety tips, visit: www.nhtsa.gov/Bicycles

Preventing Tragedies

Bicyclists:

Wear bright, light clothing and use reflectors and lights on bicycle in dusk and evening hours to be seen; 48% of all bicyclist deaths occur between 7 p.m. and midnight.

Look left, right, left when before entering a road

Ride in straight, predictable lines; most accidents involving children are from swerving into traffic

Ride with traffic, never against it

Wear protective helmets

Motorists:

Yield to bicyclists, and do not underestimate their speed

Obey speed limit, drive defensively, watch for others, and be prepared to stop

Do NOT drive distracted such as cell phones, radios, etc.

Do visual scans of roadways for bicycles

Do not pass a bicyclist too closely.

Author: Jana Pye

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