Hit-and-Run Crash Severely Injures One on Harbor Road in Wanchese, North Carolina, (NC)

WANCHESE, NC- Thecoastlandtimes.com writes that a hit-and-run driver struck a cyclist this week on Harbor Road in Wanchese. Responders rushed the man to a hospital in Norfolk via airlift. The injuries are considered severe.*

The collision also killed the victim's dog. Reports indicate the vehicle involved was a 2018 Ford pickup truck. A witness reported seeing the truck flee the scene of the crash following the incident. Police were later able to identify the individual and place that person under arrest. The driver was reportedly a 45-year-old woman from Manteo. According to the victim's friends and family, the man is still recovering at the Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. The mother of the victim reported that he sustained multiple fractures and internal injuries but expects that he will recover from the incident.

Hit-and-run drivers often are under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Additionally, these drivers tend to be more likely to be operating their vehicles without valid driver's licenses. The AAA performed a study that found that impaired drivers are more motivated to flee the scene and also might be less inhibited than are sober drivers, meaning that they are more likely to try to avoid being apprehended following a crash. Sadly, these crashes are increasing each year nationally. 

Cyclists and pedestrians tend to be those most impacted by a hit-and-run driver. About one out of every five pedestrians killed in the United States dies in the context of a hit-and-run crash. Of course, it is illegal to flee the scene of a car accident, and drivers who do so risk severe legal consequences. Even in places where legal consequences have increased in recent years, many drivers continue to take the risk of fleeing the scene following the crash.  

Accident News is a safety and education initiative from Montlick & Associates, designed to help people better understand and thereby avoid common accident causes.  To learn more about our injury prevention programs, including iridesafe.com-click here. We hope you are never in an accident, but if you or a family member are injured, call Montlick & Associates 24/7 for your free consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333) or use our live chat at Montlick.com. 

Sources:

https://www.thecoastlandtimes.com/2020/11/02/man-seriously-hurt-in-wanchese-hit-and-run/

https://aaafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/18-0058_Hit-and-Run-Brief_FINALv2.pdf