Paralyzed Statesville man gets justice after 6 years; driver of hit-and-run convicted

STATESVILLE, N.C. — A Statesville man finally has justice more than six years after a horrific hit-and-run that forever changed his life and left him paralyzed.

Elijah Houpe and his mother opened up to Channel 9 about their message to the driver, who was just convicted.

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

• Mother seeks justice for son after hit-and-run crash
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More than six years ago, the Statesville man was hit while riding his bike. The driver took off, leaving the then-19-year-old alone in the cold for hours.

Houpe is now paralyzed from the neck down.

In the more than four years it took for investigators to find the suspected driver, Houpe went through surgeries, therapies and more doctors’ appointments than he could count.

“It was just so difficult,” Houpe said. “You want to give up. Sometimes, I didn't want to live anymore."

The family never gave up hope to find justice. This week, a jury convicted the driver, Angela Price.

(Angela Price)

“I never thought this day would come,” Houpe said.

Houpe and his mother, Phyllis Summers, spoke to Price in court and said they have no hate in their hearts, but they are hurt she didn't turn around and call for help.

“I had a lot of mixed emotions,” Summers said. “I didn't know what to feel, other than just relieved."

Now, they are looking forward to the future with a new outlook on life.

“I'm just glad that it's over and I just look forward to the next chapter of my life,” Houpe said.

Cox Media Group