My cousin, Caroline Cromer was struck and killed New Year's Eve 2009. Caroline  was walking alone in the middle of Highway 17 near Holly Ridge when she was hit by a truck. Investigators are unsure why Cromer left a gathering of friends and walked by herself on a busy stretch of highway.

"There was an eyewitness to the hit-and-run," Theresa Findeisen said. "He was driving behind the old, red pick-up truck that hit Caroline. He said it looked like a trash bag fell out of the truck, but he realized it was a person in dark clothing who went over the vehicle."

The witness pulled over, but moments later Caroline died from her injuries.
"Caroline looked up right at him, and then she was gone," Findeisen said. "But it gives me comfort she was with someone when she died, not alone."

Early tests revealed there was no alcohol present in Caroline's system. But Findeisen said a drug test was never performed by Highway Patrol investigators. Cromer's mother wants the test because she doesn't trust the people Caroline was with on New Year's Eve.

"Highway Patrol said if I wanted the blood test, I would have to pay for it put of my own pocket. And that really upset me, because I didn't understand why it wasn't done in the first place."

Findeisen said she can get her daughter's blood tested if the case is moved from the Highway Patrol to the Onslow County Sheriff's Office.

"The Sheriff's Office told me there's not enough evidence for them to take on the case," Findeisen said.

No arrests have been made in the case.