A bicyclist was injured Sunday by a reported hit and run driver on Independence Boulevard.

Around 6:30 Sunday evening, Morganton Public Safety officers arrived to find the bicyclist lying in the roadway.

Reports say the bike was struck from behind by a vehicle traveling on Independence toward Carbon City Road.

The driver of the vehicle failed to stop at the accident scene.

Burke County EMS transported the cyclist to CHS Morganton.

The suspect truck is believed to be dark in color; as officers were able to recover pieces of the truck that were broken off during the collision.

Officials believe that one of the headlights on the truck was broken as well.

Should you have information regarding Sunday’s hit and run, call Morganton Public Safety at 437-1211.

A Marion woman faces drug charges after officers investigate a suspicious vehicle.

32-year-old Vanessa Danielle Kirby of Nix Creek Road is charged with possession of meth and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Just before 2 am on Sunday January 12^th, Kirby was a passenger inside a vehicle parked inside the cemetery on Memorial Park Road.

A search of the car turned up drug paraphernalia and 3 grams of meth among Kirby’s belongings, according to the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office.

Three people in Avery County have been charged with animal cruelty after authorities discover a severely malnourished dog.

42-year-old Paul Ingram, 39-year-old Hazel Ingram, and 18-year-old Deanna Ingram were all charged with misdemeanor cruelty to animals.

Reports from the Avery Sheriff’s Office say the dog was deprived of food for a period of time and had lost over 50-percent of its body weight within the last few months.

The Avery County Humane Society had conducted a preliminary investigation into the case.

Officials there say initially they were afraid the dog would have to be euthanized; however, they now report it appears the dog will go to a sanctuary that works with abused animals.