April 25, 2025
Local News

Hinsdale father, 15-year-old daughter killed in car crash in North Carolina

By Joshua Welge

Kendall Pickering of Hinsdale Central competes in the championship heat of the 100-yard backstroke during the IHSA Swimming and Diving Finals on Nov. 23 at New Trier High School in Winnetka. (Sandy Bressner)

A Hinsdale man and his daughter were killed Tuesday in a one-car crash when their vehicle veered off an interstate highway in North Carolina and struck a tree.

Robert D. Pickering, 59, and his daughter Kendall, 15, were traveling southbound on Interstate 85, 1.8 miles south of Kannapolis, approximately 25 miles northeast of Charlotte, when their vehicle traveled off the road on the right and struck a drainage ditch, according to Trooper Ned Moultrie of the North Carolina Highway Patrol.

The patrol responded to the fatal collision at 6:49 p.m. on Tuesday evening. Moultrie said that after the vehicle struck the drainage ditch it traveled down an embankment and struck a tree, fatally wounding Pickering and his daughter. Both succumbed to injuries on the scene.

Kendall Pickering, a sophomore at Hinsdale Central High School, was a standout swimmer for the Red Devils' program.

Pickering in October set personal and pool records in winning the 200-yard individual medley, 100 backstroke and 100 breaststroke to help lead Hinsdale Central to a team sectional championship.

“Kendall is an amazing swimmer,” Hinsdale Central senior Lainey Quinones said after the sectional meet. “I think she’s one of the most talented swimmers on our team."

At the 2019 state meet, Pickering was fourth in the backstroke and swam on the 400 freestyle relay team that finished fourth.

Hinsdale Central swimming coach Bob Barber spoke on Wednesday of the sudden passing of his young, talented swimmer.

“It’s a devastating loss to the swimming community and the Red Devil family," Barber said. "My heart goes out to the Pickering family. Kendall was a special athlete and an even more spectacular person.

“She left her mark in two years’ time with us. She’s going to be forever missed in the swimming world.”

Hinsdale Central's Athletic Department reacted to Pickering's passing on its Twitter feed.

"With a heavy heart we mourn sophomore swimmer Kendall Pickering," the tweet read. "She will be missed but never forgotten, her name & memory are listed 16 times on our pool record boards. Only a Soph, but she had a huge impression on our school and swim program. Rest in peace Kendall."

Matt Le Cren contributed to this story.