Family files suit in case of Fayetteville woman killed while driving to church

It's been more than two years since 57-year-old Christine Harris was hit and killed on Country Club Drive.

"I've been living with this for over two years now ... trying to understand why this has happened," widower Bill Harris told WRAL News.

On Thursday, civil rights attorney Ben Crump announced a federal lawsuit filed on behalf of Harris' family.

"We're here announcing this lawsuit: She was tragically and unnecessarily killed by a police officer who was driving in excess of 90 miles an hour, breaking the law when he crashed into her car," Crump said.

On Sept. 22, 2020, Harris, a member of the Church of Christ on Country Club Drive, was pulling into the parking lot there when she was hit.

North Carolina Special Police Officer Johnathan Fambro was driving the car the hit her.

Harris was ejected from her car and died at the scene.

The lawsuit claims Fayetteville didn't pursue criminal charges against Fambro because he was a fellow police officer. It claims there was no toxicology test or statement taken from the officer.

The lawsuit names several defendants, including the North Carolina Special Police, the city of Fayetteville and its police department.

Fayetteville Police Chief Gina Hawkins did not return a call for comment.

While Harris is seeking justice through the court, he says there will never be closure.

"I go to bed at nighttime and I look over and I don't see her there," he said. "I walk through the house, I don't hear her voice."