FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — A Fayetteville woman died early Thursday morning after being hit by a car driven by a Cumberland County sheriff's deputy.

At 2:14 a.m. Fayetteville police responded to a traffic accident involving a pedestrian on Gillespie Street between Owen Drive and West Mountain Drive. Upon arrival, officers found a 34-year-old woman in the southbound lane of traffic who had been struck by a patrol car driven by Deputy Hiram Grantham on his way home.

The pedestrian, identified as Kathy Davis Lindell, of 3144 Ashboro St., stepped into the path of Grantham's patrol vehicle from the center median and was struck, authorities said.

Lindell was transported to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center and later died as a result of her injuries.

Traffic investigators from the Fayetteville Police Department responded to the scene to conduct the investigation and have determined that Lindell was crossing at an area of the roadway that was not designated as a cross walk or at an intersection, authorities said. Police ruled the incident as an accident.

Grantham is on administrative leave with pay, which is standard procedure. He is also getting grief counseling through the sheriff's office.