Local

Hickory hit-and-run victim's family to driver: 'Please turn yourself in'

By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com
By Dave Faherty, wsoctv.com

HICKORY, N.C. — Two crosses, on both sides of a Hickory road, mark the spot where a man was struck and killed and the driver never stopped.

Officers said they were called around 5:45 a.m. Monday to the intersection of Startown Road and 23rd Street Drive SE where Ricky James Yelton, 54, was struck by a vehicle after he crashed his moped.

Yelton died at the scene, police said.

"It's been real tough," Ray Lail, Yelton's brother-in-law, said.

Lail fought back tears as he talked about the loss and its impact on the family, knowing the person responsible left Yelton for dead.

"Just please turn yourself in. That's all you got to do. It ain't more than just turn yourself in. I have to bury him. I had to come up with the money to bury him," Lail said.

Police showed Eyewitness News reporter Dave Faherty the piece of the vehicle that was left behind when Yelton was struck and killed.

Investigators determined the vehicle is either a red 2007 Daewoo Optra or a Suzuki Forenza. They said the part came off the back right rear well.

Police hope an eyewitness or the driver will come forward. They believe the driver may try to get the car fixed.

"Someone may try to come by a part store to get it fixed. On behalf of the family, we would love to be able to identify the suspect and get closure," Hickory police Lt. Wes Gardin said.

Family members told Channel 9 they hope the person who ran over Yelton will drive by the accident scene and see the crosses every day.

"Hoping they see that cross every day and every night, or whatever time of the day it is, and make them have a guilty conscience," Lail said.

Anyone with information in the case is asked to contact MPO D. Frye at 828-328-5551.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

Cox Media Group

Most Read