Who Killed Lori Lynne Avery?

 

It's less than a week until Christmas, but not everyone will be having a happy holiday. A mother in North Carolina will be without her daughter. Two small dogs will be without their mama. Many employees at American Wholesale Book Company will be grieving the loss of a co-worker snatched from them by a hit-and-run driver.

It was still light on Monday afternoon when Lori Lynne Avery left her job in the Industrial Park to walk to her home in the Seven Points area. She was 56 years-old, not in the best of health, and at least slightly hearing impaired. Still, she should have felt safe walking on four-lane Chisholm Road with a prominently posted speed limit. Only she wasn't.

Florence Police say that Miss Avery was struck by a driver who then fled the scene. In case any are not aware, such actions are a felony. There are some anecdotal reports that the damaged vehicle has been located, but these have not been confirmed. As far as we know, the driver is still being sought by authorities.

Whoever the driver is, he (or she) knows exactly what he hit. He left the scene deliberately without stopping to assist the dying woman. He deserves the maximum punishment for his crime, or perhaps crimes if he was impaired by substance abuse.

Unfortunately, Miss Avery has no local relatives to encourage the judicial system to push for the appropriate sentence in this crime. Nevertheless, when his name is public, all will then know him for the person he is.

If you have information concerning this accident or the driver involved, call the FPD at 256-760-6610.