A Catawba County man was killed in an incident involving a riding mower on Saturday (September 16). The deceased is 59-year-old Phillip Michael Brooks of Claremont.

On Saturday, at approximately 8:20 p.m., the NC State Highway Patrol responded to Shook Road near Rock Barn Road in Catawba County. A 2001 Honda Passport, traveling south on Shook Road struck a riding lawn mower, which the operator was driving south in the roadway. The operator of the mower, Phillip Michael Brooks, of Claremont, was ejected from the mower and critically injured. He was transported by EMS to Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory, where he succumbed to his injuries.

The driver of the Passport, a Hickory man, was not injured. The initial investigation indicates speed and alcohol were not contributing circumstances in the collision. No charges will be filed in this case. The riding lawn mower was not displaying any lights or reflective markings. During the on-scene investigation, Shook Road was partially closed in the area for approximately two hours.