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Mother of son killed in hit-and-run pleads for driver to come forward

By Alexa Ashwell and Elsa Gillis
By Alexa Ashwell and Elsa Gillis

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department released new video they say shows a car minutes after a hit-and-run crash that killed a man in east Charlotte Saturday.

Khalid Perry, 21, has been identified as the victim in the crash.

CMPD released new video Tuesday hoping someone will come forward with information on the case.

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“We want to give this family some peace,” Sgt. J. Wood said.

The video was captured on a traffic camera and shows the car turning left about three miles down the road from where Perry was hit while crossing the intersection of Albemarle and Lawyers roads.

Other cameras show the driver appeared on W.T. Harris between Trysting and Albemarle roads prior to the crash. A possible clue, they said, as to where the driver came from.

“All the apartment complexes and the neighborhoods in that zone are contained to the entrances onto Harris Boulevard,” Wood said. “There are no backdoor exits to get onto another road."

CMPD said they've canvassed the neighborhoods but came up empty. Now they're hoping the public can help.

The silver or gray sedan should have damage to its right side.

Investigators said even the smallest tip could help solve the case and bring Perry's family some closure.

“A mother has lost a son, a brother has lost a brother,” Wood said. “He was just walking home and it's a shame he had to die like this at such a young age."

CMPD said they’re looking for tips such as a car fitting the description that has disappeared, has been parked in another location or has been covered up.

Nicole Parker said her son had just texted her while walking home before he was hit and killed.

After a difficult couple of days, she's pleading for the driver to do the right thing and come forward.

“He was a person and how would you feel if someone did it to your family? Someone you love?” she asked.

Parker said her son had a strong work ethic and a knack for making people smile.

“He loved people, people loved him,” Parker said. “He would hug you, just to give you a hug. He would say ‘I got you.’”

There's one thing that will bring her some peace.

“There's still time,” she said. “There's still time, turn yourself in, it's never too late. That is the right thing to do."

Perry's girlfriend told Channel 9 that he was walking home, and she can't believe the driver didn't stop to help.

“It's been bothering me a lot knowing that he had been hit by a car and someone just kept going,” said Bre'onna Bowman. “Like, you killed someone's son."

Bowman had been with Perry earlier that night. The two had spent the evening together in uptown Charlotte.

“He gave me a kiss, told me he loved me and to make it home safe, and I said the same to him,” Bowman said. “That’s the last I ever saw my boyfriend.”

Bowman said minutes before the crash Perry had texted his mom saying he was almost home.

Investigators believe the driver was traveling east on Albemarle Road and hit Perry, who was in the crosswalk. Perry was just two-and-a-half miles from his house.

“I find it sad. Horrifying,” said a woman who frequently walks that section of Albemarle Road.

Tamiko Tucker and her 7-year-old daughter walked in the same crosswalk Monday.

"That's terrible,” Tucker said. “I would hate for that to happen to somebody close to me."

Perry’s family hopes someone comes forward soon.

“Khalid was the best guy ever,” Bowman said. “He never hurt anyone. He loved everyone.”

Anyone with any information is asked to call 704-336-8862 or Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

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