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Police: Pedestrian struck by 2 cars in hit-and-run

GASTONIA — A Gaston County man was rushed to the hospital Friday after police said two drivers hit him on a busy road and then kept driving. Police said it was around 8 p.m. when 53-year-old John King crossed East Long Avenue in Gastonia in front of a Quick Trip gas station.

Police said a white SUV hit him and kept driving. Right after that a small car hit him again and also kept going.

"It's horrible! I mean, you know you hit somebody, why didn't you stop? You just left him lying there to die," said Lynn Hyde, the victim's sister.

Hyde said she and her brother lived together in a house a block away from where he was hit. She said she saw the aftermath of the crash Friday, went home and then realized her brother wasn't there. She said something told her to go back to the scene and that's when she realized her brother was the victim.

"All that we can figure is that he was going to the store or something, but I know it was dark and it was raining," said Hyde. 

Police said the intersection doesn't have a cross walk and it may have been difficult for the drivers to see because of the rain. Officers said pieces of the front of the SUV fell off during the impact.

If you have any information regarding the crash you're asked to call the Gastonia Police Department at (704) 866-6702.