Family has answers year after fatal hit-and-run

MOORESVILLE, N.C. — Nearly a year after an accident in Pitt County, a Mooresville family finally has some answers.

On Tuesday, the Pitt County Sheriff's Office announced an arrest in the death of 20-year-old Austin Baeza.

Last August, Austin was hit and killed and left on the side of Highway 33 in Pitt County. He was attending college at the time.

"That's a horrifying thought, but that's our reality," said Nicolette Baeza, his mother.

The family searched for answers for months, canvassing the area with police and hanging a billboard with Austin's picture.

The Pitt County Sheriff's Office says 47-year-old William Langley has been charged with felony hit and run causing death, 10 months later.

The Baeza's says they will never forget how Pitt County worked to find Langley. Perfect strangers donated money for a reward and called in tips.

"We feel blessed that the community picked up the baton," said Nicolette.

The Sheriff's Office says those tips led it to Langley.

"We know this doesn't bring Austin back, but it does open up a new chapter to start in another direction," said Christy Wallace, the public information director for the Pitt County Sheriff's Office.

That new chapter, is a push for change. The Baeza's are joining Austin's friends in working for harsher penalties for hit-and-runs and a better communication system between agencies.

The family says it's thinking about Austin the whole time, and how he wouldn't want any other family to go through what his did.

"He hated to see people sad," said Alexander Baeza, Austin's father. "All you had to do was talk to him for two minutes and he was your friend."

To see the petition, click here.

WSOC